Method and system for locating programming on a television

ABSTRACT

A method, system, and executable instructions are provided that obtain, from a network accessible content provider, electronic program guide (“EPG”) information, the EPG information comprising, for each program, airtime, program name, program channel, and program description, display, on a screen of a television, a search panel, the search panel comprising a search term field to receive a search term and at least one previous search term used by the user in a prior search, wherein selection of the at least one previous search term initiates a search of the EPG information using the at least one previous search term as one or more selected search term, perform the search using one or more selected search terms, the one or more selected search terms being received in the search term field or a selected previous search term, obtain a set of search results, the set of search results comprising EPG information corresponding to multiple channels and/or programs, display the search results on the television screen, receive, from a remote control of the user, a program selection from the displayed search results, and change a current channel to a channel broadcasting the program selection.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefits of and priority, under 35U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 61/684,672filed Aug. 17, 2012, “Smart TV”; 61/702,650 filed Sep. 18, 2012, “SmartTV”; 61/697,710 filed Sep. 6, 2012, “Social TV”; 61/700,182 filed Sep.12, 2012, “Social TV Roadmap”; 61/736,692 filed Dec. 13, 2012,“SmartTV”; 61/798,821 filed Mar. 15, 2013, “SmartTV”; 61/804,942 filedMar. 25, 2013, “SmartTV”; 61/804,998 filed Mar. 25, 2013, “SmartTV”;61/804,971 filed Mar. 25, 2013, “SmartTV”; 61/804,990 filed Mar. 25,2013, “SmartTV”; 61/805,003 filed Mar. 25, 2013, “SmartTV”; 61/805,053filed Mar. 25, 2013, “SmartTV”; 61/805,030 filed Mar. 25, 2013,“SmartTV”; 61/805,027 filed Mar. 25, 2013, “SmartTV”; 61/805,042 filedMar. 25, 2013, “SmartTV”; and 61/805,038 filed Mar. 25, 2013, “SmartTV.”Each of the aforementioned documents is incorporated herein by referencein their entirety for all that they teach and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Consolidation of device features or technological convergence is in anincreasing trend. Technological convergence describes the tendency fordifferent technological systems to evolve toward performing similartasks. As people use more devices, the need to carry those devices,charge those devices, update software on those devices, etc. becomesmore cumbersome. To compensate for these problems, technology companieshave been integrating features from different devices into one or twomulti-functional devices. For example, cellular phones are now capableof accessing the Internet, taking photographs, providing calendarfunctions, etc.

The consolidation trend is now affecting the design and functionality ofdevices generally used in the home. For example, audio receivers canaccess the Internet, digital video recorders can store or provide accessto digital photographs, etc. The television in home audio/video systemsremains a cornerstone device because the display function cannot beintegrated into other devices. As such, consolidating home devices leadsto integrating features and functionality into the television. Theemergence of the Smart Television (Smart TV) is evidence of the trend toconsolidate functionality into the television.

A Smart TV is generally conceived as a device that integrates access tothe Internet and Web 2.0 features into television sets. The Smart TVrepresents the trend of technological convergence between computers andtelevision sets. The Smart TV generally focuses on online interactivemedia, Internet TV, on-demand streaming media, and generally does notfocus on traditional broadcast media. Unfortunately, most Smart TVs haveyet to provide seamless and intuitive user interfaces for navigatingand/or executing the various features of the Smart TV. As such, thereare still issues with the consolidation of features and the presentationof these features in Smart TVs.

SUMMARY

There is a need for an Intelligent TV with intuitive user interfaces andwith seamless user interaction capability. These and other needs areaddressed by the various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations ofthe present disclosure. Also, while the disclosure is presented in termsof exemplary embodiments, it should be appreciated that individualaspects of the disclosure can be separately claimed.

A method is provided that can include the steps:

accessing, from a network accessible content provider, electronicprogram guide (“EPG”) information, the EPG information comprising, foreach program, airtime, program name, program channel, and programdescription;

displaying, by a microprocessor executable application framework and ona screen of a television, a search panel, the search panel comprising asearch term field to receive a search term and previous set of searchterm(s) used by the user in a prior search, wherein selection of theprevious set of search term(s) initiates a search of the EPG informationusing the previous set of search term(s) as one or more selected searchterm;

performing, by a microprocessor executable data service of a television,the search using a selected set of search terms, the selected set ofsearch terms being received in the search term field or a selectedprevious set of search term(s);

obtaining, by the data service, a set of search results, the set ofsearch results comprising EPG information corresponding to multiplechannels and/or programs;

displaying, by the application framework, the search results on thetelevision screen;

receiving, by the application framework and from a remote control of theuser, a program selection from the displayed search results; and

changing, by the application framework, a current channel to a channelbroadcasting the program selection.

A television is provided that can include:

a television screen;

a local computer readable medium;

an infrared and/or radio frequency module configured to receivewirelessly input signals from a remote control of a user;

a microprocessor executable application platform configured to display,on the television screen, a search panel, the search panel comprising asearch term field to receive a search term and a previous set of searchterms used by the user in a prior search, wherein selection of theprevious set of search terms initiates a search of the EPG informationusing the previous set of search terms as a selected set of searchterms, to display search results on the television screen, to receive aprogram selection from the displayed search results, and to change acurrent channel to a channel airing the program selection; and

a microprocessor executable data service configured to receive, from anetwork accessible content provider, electronic program guide (“EPG”)information, the EPG information comprising, for each program, airtime,program name, program channel, and program description, to perform thesearch using selected set of search terms, the selected set of searchterms being received in the search term field or a selected previous setof search terms, and to obtain a set of search results, the set ofsearch results comprising EPG information corresponding to multiplechannels and/or programs.

A tangible and non-transient computer readable medium is provided thatincludes microprocessor executable instructions that, when executed, areconfigured to perform operations that can include:

obtaining, from a network accessible content provider, electronicprogram guide (“EPG”) information, the EPG information comprising, foreach program, airtime, program name, program channel, and programdescription;

displaying, on a screen of a television, a search panel, the searchpanel comprising a search term field to receive a search term and aprevious set of search terms used by the user in a prior search, whereinselection of the previous set of search terms initiates a search of theEPG information using the previous set of search terms as a selected setof search terms;

performing the search using a selected set of search terms, the selectedset of search terms being received in the search term field or aselected previous set of search terms;

obtaining a set of search results, the set of search results comprisingEPG information corresponding to multiple channels and/or programs;

displaying the set of search results on the television screen;

receiving, from a remote control of the user, a program selection fromthe displayed set of search results; and

changing a current channel to a channel broadcasting the programselection.

When a search term is entered into the search term field, an existingset of search results can be cleared automatically and replaced by theobtained set of search results.

The displayed search results can list multiple programs.

Each search result can include an air time of the corresponding program,a name of the corresponding program, and a channel broadcasting thecorresponding program.

When one of the multiple programs is in focus, a thumbnail preview canbe displayed on the television screen with the displayed set of searchresults. The thumbnail preview corresponds to the in focus program. Thethumbnail preview can include a graphical image and a program name,series name, episode number, episode name, and/or sport event name and aplurality of a program description, a program type, a program category,a start-to-finish time, current runtime, and a remaining runtime. Thegraphical image can be a captured frame of the in focus program, apicture associated with the in focus program, and a photographassociated with the in focus program.

The displayed set of search results can list multiple airings of acommon program.

Each search result in the set of search results can include a respectiveair time of the common program, a name of the common program, and arespective channel broadcasting the common program. The displayed set ofsearch results can be ordered by time.

The displayed set of search results can update in real time while theuser fills in the search term field.

The user can, using the remote control, mark a channel and/or program asa favorite.

The set of user marked favorite channels and/or programs is commonlymaintained in a local computer readable medium.

The programs described by the EPG programming information can be indexedby airtime, channel, category, and favorites.

The set of favorite channels and programs cannot be maintained in aremotely located computer readable medium.

The locally stored EPG information can include a favorite indicator toindicate that a corresponding channel or program is in the set offavorite channels and programs, a reminder indicator to indicate that acorresponding program has been set to trigger a reminder, a categoryindicator to indicate a category of the corresponding program, and afirst air indicator to indicate that a corresponding program that isairing for the first time.

The program is typically one or more of a movie, an episode, sportevent, and a television special.

In the displaying step/operation, the displayed search panel on thetelevision screen can include a (live) view of currently selectedprogramming, which is displayed on only a part of the screen.

The present disclosure can provide a number of advantages depending onthe particular aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. The searchpanel can provide a versatile and convenient interface to locate desiredprogramming quickly and efficiently. Displaying prior sets of searchterms can avoid the user needing to recall prior searches and type inthe search terms again. The ability to mark favorite channels andprograms can not only increase user convenience but also provide a quickinterface to select channels. The ability of the user to select channelsand programs through various mechanisms, such as an EPG listing indexedby airtime, channel, program title, or program category and favorites,can enable users to use the most suitable mechanism for his or her needsand preferences. The display of the graphical image provided by orderived from metadata associated with the programming can providemeaningful information without needing to wait for the channel change tobe activated fully. This can improve the channel changing experience asall channels can show a full screen channel preview while tuning takesplace. This can enable the user to flip quickly through channels to seewhat is on without needing to wait for the tuner to catch up.

These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure.

The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-endedexpressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. Forexample, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at leastone of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B,or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. Assuch, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can beused interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms“comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.

The term “automatic” and variations thereof, as used herein, refers toany process or operation done without material human input when theprocess or operation is performed. However, a process or operation canbe automatic, even though performance of the process or operation usesmaterial or immaterial human input, if the input is received beforeperformance of the process or operation. Human input is deemed to bematerial if such input influences how the process or operation will beperformed. Human input that consents to the performance of the processor operation is not deemed to be “material.”

A “blog” (a blend of the term web log) is a type of website or part of awebsite supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogsare usually maintained by an individual with regular entries ofcommentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphicsor video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order.

A “blogging service” is a blog-publishing service that allows private ormulti-user blogs with time-stamped entries.

The term “cable TV” refers to a system of distributing televisionprograms to subscribers via radio frequency (RF) signals transmittedthrough coaxial cables or light pulses through fiber-optic cables. Thiscontrasts with traditional broadcast television (terrestrial television)in which the television signal is transmitted over the air by radiowaves and received by a television antenna attached to the television.

The term “channel” or “television channel,” as used herein, can be aphysical or virtual channel over which a television station ortelevision network is distributed. A physical cannel in analogtelevision can be an amount of bandwidth, typically 6, 7, or 8 MHz, thatoccupies a predetermine channel frequency. A virtual channel is arepresentation, in cable or satellite television, of a data stream for aparticular television media provider (e.g., CDS, TNT, HBO, etc.).

The term “computer-readable medium,” as used herein, refers to anytangible storage and/or transmission medium that participate inproviding instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium maytake many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media,volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, forexample, NVRAM, or magnetic or optical disks. Volatile media includesdynamic memory, such as main memory. Common forms of computer-readablemedia include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, magneto-optical medium, aCD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any otherphysical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, aFLASH-EPROM, a solid state medium like a memory card, any other memorychip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any othermedium from which a computer can read. A digital file attachment toe-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. When the computer-readable media is configured as a database, itis to be understood that the database may be any type of database, suchas relational, hierarchical, object-oriented, and/or the like.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include a tangible storagemedium or distribution medium and prior art-recognized equivalents andsuccessor media, in which the software implementations of the presentdisclosure are stored.

The term “enhanced television” (ETV) refers to a collection ofspecifications developed under the OpenCable project of CableLabs (CableTelevision Laboratories, Inc.) that define an ETV Application consistingof resources (files) adhering to the Enhanced TV Binary InterchangeFormat (EBIF) content format as well as PNG images, JPEG images, and PFRdownloadable fonts. An ETV application is normally delivered through anMPEG transport stream and accompanies an MPEG program containing videoand audio elementary streams. An “ETV Application” is a collection ofresources (files) that include one or more EBIF resources that representviewable information in the form of pages. Two forms of a given ETVApplication may be distinguished: (1) an interchange form and (2) anexecution form. The interchange form of an ETV Application consists ofthe resources (files) that represent the compiled application prior toits actual execution by an ETV User Agent. The execution form of an ETVApplication consists of the stored, and possibly mutated forms of theseresources while being decoded, presented, and executed by an ETV UserAgent. An “ETV User Agent” is a software component that operates on aset-top box, a television, or any other computing environment capable ofreceiving, decoding, presenting, and processing an ETV Application. Thiscomponent usually provides, along with its host hardware environment,one or more mechanisms for an end-user to navigate and interact with themultimedia content represented by ETV Applications.

The term “high-definition television” (HDTV) provides a resolution thatis substantially higher than that of standard-definition television.HDTV may be transmitted in various formats, namely 1080p—1920×1080p:2,073,600 pixels (approximately 2.1 megapixels) per frame, 1080i (whichis typically either 1920×1080i: 1,036,800 pixels (approximately 1megapixel) per field or 2,073,600 pixels (approximately 2.1 megapixels)per frame or 1440×1080i:[1] 777,600 pixels (approximately 0.8megapixels) per field or 1,555,200 pixels (approximately 1.6 megapixels)per frame), or 720p—1280×720p: 921,600 pixels (approximately 0.9megapixels) per frame. As will be appreciated, “frame size” in pixels isdefined as number of horizontal pixels×number of vertical pixels, forexample 1280×720 or 1920×1080. Often the number of horizontal pixels isimplied from context and is omitted, as in the case of 720p and 1080p,“scanning system” is identified with the letter “p” for progressivescanning or “i” for interlaced scanning, and “frame rate” is identifiedas number of video frames per second. For interlaced systems analternative form of specifying number of fields per second is oftenused. For purposes of this disclosure, “high-definition television” isdeemed to include other high-definition analog or digital video formats,including ultra high definition television.

The term “internet television” (otherwise known as Internet TV, OnlineTelevision, or Online TV) is the digital distribution of televisioncontent via the Internet. It should not be confused with Webtelevision—short programs or videos created by a wide variety ofcompanies and individuals, or Internet protocol television (IPTV)—anemerging internet technology standard for use by televisionbroadcasters. Internet Television is a general term that covers thedelivery of television shows and other video content over the internetby video streaming technology, typically by major traditional televisionbroadcasters. It does not describe a technology used to deliver content(see Internet protocol television). Internet television has become verypopular through services such as RTÉ Player in Ireland; BBC iPlayer,4oD, ITV Player (also STV Player and UTV Player) and Demand Five in theUnited Kingdom; Hulu in the United States; Nederland 24 in theNetherlands; ABC iview and Australia Live TV in Australia; Tivibu inTurkey; and iWanTV! in the Philippines.

The term “internet protocol television” (IPTV) refers to a systemthrough which television services are delivered using the Internetprotocol suite over a packet-switched network such as the Internet,instead of being delivered through traditional terrestrial, satellitesignal, and cable television formats. IPTV services may be classifiedinto three main groups, namely live television, with or withoutinteractivity related to the current TV show; time-shifted television:catch-up TV (replays a TV show that was broadcast hours or days ago),start-over TV (replays the current TV show from its beginning); andvideo on demand (VOD): browse a catalog of videos, not related to TVprogramming. IPTV is distinguished from Internet television by itson-going standardization process (e.g., European TelecommunicationsStandards Institute) and preferential deployment scenarios insubscriber-based telecommunications networks with high-speed accesschannels into end-user premises via set-top boxes or othercustomer-premises equipment.

The term “silo,” as used herein, can be a logical representation of aninput, source, or application. An input can be a device or devices(e.g., DVD, VCR, etc.) electrically connected to the television througha port (e.g., HDMI, video/audio inputs, etc.) or through a network(e.g., LAN WAN, etc.). Rather than a device or devices, the input couldbe configured as an electrical or physical connection to one or moredevices. A source, particularly a content source, can be a data servicethat provides content (e.g., a media center, a file system, etc.). Anapplication can be a software service that provides a particular type offunction (e.g., Live TV, Video on Demand, User Applications, photographdisplay, etc.). The silo, as a logical representation, can have anassociated definition or property, such as a setting, feature, or othercharacteristic.

The term “panel,” as used herein, can mean a user interface displayed inat least a portion of the display. The panel may be interactive (e.g.,accepts user input) or informational (e.g., does not accept user input).A panel may be translucent whereby the panel obscures but does not maskthe underlying content being displayed in the display. Panels may beprovided in response to a user input from a button or remote controlinterface.

The term “screen,” as used herein, refers to a physical structure thatincludes one or more hardware components that provide the device withthe ability to render a user interface and/or receive user input. Ascreen can encompass any combination of gesture capture region, a touchsensitive display, and/or a configurable area. The device can have oneor more physical screens embedded in the hardware. However a screen mayalso include an external peripheral device that may be attached anddetached from the device. In embodiments, multiple external devices maybe attached to the device. For example, another screen may be includedwith a remote control unit that interfaces with the Intelligent TV.

The term “media” of “multimedia,” as used herein, refers to content thatmay assume one of a combination of different content forms. Multimediacan include one or more of, but is not limited to, text, audio, stillimages, animation, video, or interactivity content forms.

The term “Intelligent TV,” as used herein, refers to a televisionconfigured to provide one or more intuitive user interfaces andinteractions based on a unique application platform and architecture.The Intelligent TV utilizes processing resources associated with thetelevision to integrate Internet connectivity with parallel applicationfunctionality. This integration allows a user the ability to intuitivelyaccess various sources of media and content (e.g., Internet,over-the-top content, on-demand streaming media, over-the-air broadcastmedia, and/or other forms of information) via the Intelligent TV in aquick and efficient manner. Although the Intelligent TV disclosed hereinmay comprise one or more components of a “smart TV,” it is an aspect ofthe Intelligent TV to provide expanded intuitive user interactioncapability for navigating and executing the various features of thetelevision. A “smart TV,” sometimes referred to as a connected TV, orhybrid TV (not to be confused with IPTV, Internet TV, or with Web TV),describes a trend of integration of the Internet and Web 2.0 featuresinto television sets and set-top boxes, as well as the technologicalconvergence between computers and these television sets/set-top boxes.The smart TV devices have a higher focus on online interactive media,Internet TV, over-the-top content, as well as on-demand streaming media,and less focus on traditional broadcast media than traditionaltelevision sets and set-top boxes. As can be appreciated, theIntelligent TV encompasses a broader range of technology than that ofthe smart TV defined above.

The term “television” is a telecommunication medium, device (or set) orset of associated devices, programming, and/or transmission fortransmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome(black-and-white) or colored, with or without accompanying sound.Different countries use one of the three main video standards for TVs,namely PAL, NTSC or SECAM. Television is most commonly used fordisplaying broadcast television signals. The broadcast television systemis typically disseminated via radio transmissions on designated channelsin the 54-890 MHz frequency band. A common television set comprisesmultiple internal electronic circuits, including those for receiving anddecoding broadcast signals. A visual display device which lacks a tuneris properly called a video monitor, rather than a television. Atelevision may be different from other monitors or displays based on thedistance maintained between the user and the television when the userwatches the media and based on the inclusion of a tuner or otherelectronic circuit to receive the broadcast television signal.

The term “Live TV,” as used herein, refers to a television productionbroadcast in real-time, as events happen, in the present.

The term “standard-definition television” (SDTV) is a television systemthat uses a resolution that is not considered to be eitherhigh-definition television (HDTV 720p and 1080p) or enhanced-definitiontelevision (EDTV 480p). The two common SDTV signal types are 576i, with576 interlaced lines of resolution, derived from the European-developedPAL and SECAM systems; and 480i based on the American NationalTelevision System Committee NTSC system. In the US, digital SDTV isbroadcast in the same 4:3 aspect ratio as NTSC signals. However, inother parts of the world that used the PAL or SECAM analog standards,standard-definition television is now usually shown with a 16:9 aspectratio. Standards that support digital SDTV broadcast include DVB, ATSCand ISDB. Television signals are transmitted in digital form, and theirpixels have a rectangular shape, as opposed to square pixels that areused in modern computer monitors and modern implementations of HDTV. Thetable below summarizes pixel aspect ratios for various kinds of SDTVvideo signal. Note that the actual image (be it 4:3 or 16:9) is alwayscontained in the center 704 horizontal pixels of the digital frame,regardless of how many horizontal pixels (704 or 720) are used. In caseof digital video signal having 720 horizontal pixels, only the center704 pixels contain actual 4:3 or 16:9 image, and the 8 pixel widestripes from either side are called nominal analogue blanking and shouldbe discarded before displaying the image. Nominal analogue blankingshould not be confused with overscan, as overscan areas are part of theactual 4:3 or 16:9 image.

The term “video on demand (VOD),” as used herein, refers to systems andprocesses which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audiocontent on demand. VOD systems may stream content, to view the contentin real time, or download the content to a storage medium for viewing ata later time.

The term “satellite positioning system receiver” refers to a wirelessreceiver or transceiver to receive and/or send location signals fromand/or to a satellite positioning system, such as the Global PositioningSystem (“GPS”) (US), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo positioning system (EU),Compass navigation system (China), and Regional Navigational SatelliteSystem (India).

The term “display,” as used herein, refers to at least a portion of ascreen used to display the output of the television to a user. A displaymay be a single-screen display or a multi-screen display, referred to asa composite display. A composite display can encompass the touchsensitive display of one or more screens. A single physical screen caninclude multiple displays that are managed as separate logical displays.Thus, different content can be displayed on the separate displaysalthough part of the same physical screen.

The term “displayed image,” as used herein, refers to an image producedon the display. A typical displayed image is a television broadcast ormenu. The displayed image may occupy all or a portion of the display.

The term “display orientation,” as used herein, refers to the way inwhich a rectangular display is oriented by a user for viewing. The twomost common types of display orientation are portrait and landscape. Inlandscape mode, the display is oriented such that the width of thedisplay is greater than the height of the display (such as a 4:3 ratio,which is 4 units wide and 3 units tall, or a 16:9 ratio, which is 16units wide and 9 units tall). Stated differently, the longer dimensionof the display is oriented substantially horizontal in landscape modewhile the shorter dimension of the display is oriented substantiallyvertical. In the portrait mode, by contrast, the display is orientedsuch that the width of the display is less than the height of thedisplay. Stated differently, the shorter dimension of the display isoriented substantially horizontal in the portrait mode while the longerdimension of the display is oriented substantially vertical.

The term “module,” as used herein, refers to any known or laterdeveloped hardware, software, firmware, artificial intelligence, fuzzylogic, or combination of hardware and software that is capable ofperforming the functionality associated with that element.

The terms “determine,” “calculate” and “compute,” and variationsthereof, as used herein, are used interchangeably and include any typeof methodology, process, mathematical operation or technique.

The term “touch screen” or “touchscreen” refer to screen that canreceive user contact or other tactile input, such as a stylus. The touchscreen may sense user contact in a number of different ways, such as bya change in an electrical parameter (e.g., resistance or capacitance),acoustic wave variations, infrared radiation proximity detection, lightvariation detection, and the like. In a resistive touch screen, forexample, normally separated conductive and resistive metallic layers inthe screen pass an electrical current. When a user touches the screen,the two layers make contact in the contacted location, whereby a changein electrical field is noted and the coordinates of the contactedlocation calculated. In a capacitive touch screen, a capacitive layerstores electrical charge, which is discharged to the user upon contactwith the touch screen, causing a decrease in the charge of thecapacitive layer. The decrease is measured, and the contacted locationcoordinates determined. In a surface acoustic wave touch screen, anacoustic wave is transmitted through the screen, and the acoustic waveis disturbed by user contact. A receiving transducer detects the usercontact instance and determines the contacted location coordinates.

The term “web television” is original television content produced forbroadcast via the World Wide Web. Some major distributors of webtelevision are YouTube, Myspace, Newgrounds, Blip.tv, and Crackle.

The terms “instant message” and “instant messaging” refer to a form ofreal-time text communication between two or more people, typically basedon typed text.

The term “internet search engine” refers to a web search engine designedto search for information on the World Wide Web and FTP servers. Thesearch results are generally presented in a list of results oftenreferred to as SERPS, or “search engine results pages”. The informationmay consist of web pages, images, information and other types of files.Some search engines also mine data available in databases or opendirectories. Web search engines work by storing information about manyweb pages, which they retrieve from the html itself. These pages areretrieved by a Web crawler (sometimes also known as a spider)—anautomated Web browser which follows every link on the site. The contentsof each page are then analyzed to determine how it should be indexed(for example, words are extracted from the titles, headings, or specialfields called meta tags). Data about web pages are stored in an indexdatabase for use in later queries. Some search engines, such as Google™,store all or part of the source page (referred to as a cache) as well asinformation about the web pages, whereas others, such as AltaVista™,store every word of every page they find.

The terms “online community”, “e-community”, or “virtual community” meana group of people that primarily interact via a computer network, ratherthan face to face, for social, professional, educational or otherpurposes. The interaction can use a variety of media formats, includingwikis, blogs, chat rooms, Internet forums, instant messaging, email, andother forms of electronic media. Many media formats are used in socialsoftware separately or in combination, including text-based chatroomsand forums that use voice, video text or avatars.

The term “remote control” refers to a component of an electronicsdevice, most commonly a television set, DVD player and/or home theatersystem for operating the device wirelessly, typically from a shortline-of-sight distance. Remote control normally uses infrared and/orradio frequency (RF) signaling and can include WiFi, wireless USB,Bluetooth™ connectivity, motion sensor enabled capabilities and/or voicecontrol. A touchscreen remote control is a handheld remote controldevice which uses a touchscreen user interface to replace most of thehard, built-in physical buttons used in normal remote control devices.

The term “satellite TV” refers to television programming delivered bythe means of communications satellites and received by an outdoorantenna, usually a parabolic reflector generally referred to as asatellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellitereceiver either in the form of an external set-top box or a satellitetuner module built into a TV set.

The term “social network service” is a service provider that buildsonline communities of people, who share interests and/or activities, orwho are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others.Most social network services are web-based and provide a variety of waysfor users to interact, such as e-mail and instant messaging services.

The term “social network” refers to a web-based social network.

The term “gesture” refers to a user action that expresses an intendedidea, action, meaning, result, and/or outcome. The user action caninclude manipulating a device (e.g., opening or closing a device,changing a device orientation, moving a trackball or wheel, etc.),movement of a body part in relation to the device, movement of animplement or tool in relation to the device, audio inputs, etc. Agesture may be made on a device (such as on the screen) or with thedevice to interact with the device.

The term “gesture capture” refers to a sense or otherwise a detection ofan instance and/or type of user gesture. The gesture capture can occurin one or more areas of the screen. A gesture region can be on thedisplay, where it may be referred to as a touch sensitive display or offthe display where it may be referred to as a gesture capture area.

The term “electronic address” refers to any contactable address,including a telephone number, instant message handle, e-mail address,Universal Resource Locator (URL), Universal Resource Identifier (URI),Address of Record (AOR), electronic alias in a database, like addresses,and combinations thereof

It shall be understood that the term “means,” as used herein, shall begiven its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C.,Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means”shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and allof the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or actsand the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in thesummary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detaileddescription, abstract, and claims themselves.

The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide anunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neitheran extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its variousaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations. It is intended neither toidentify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate thescope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of thedisclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detaileddescription presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure are possibleutilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features setforth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A includes a first view of an embodiment of an environment or aintelligent television;

FIG. 1B includes a second view of an embodiment of an environment or aintelligent television;

FIG. 2A includes a first view of an embodiment of a intelligenttelevision;

FIG. 2B includes a second view of an embodiment of a intelligenttelevision;

FIG. 2C includes a third view of an embodiment of a intelligenttelevision;

FIG. 2D includes a fourth view of an embodiment of a intelligenttelevision;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the hardware of theintelligent television;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the intelligent televisionsoftware and/or firmware;

FIG. 5 is a second block diagram of an embodiment of the intelligenttelevision software and/or firmware;

FIG. 6 is a third block diagram of an embodiment of the intelligenttelevision software and/or firmware;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an embodiment of a handheld remote control;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of a remote control;

FIG. 9A is a bottom view of an embodiment of a remote control with ajoystick in a neutral position;

FIG. 9B is a bottom view of an embodiment of a remote control with thejoystick in a lower position;

FIG. 9C is a bottom view of an embodiment of a remote control with thejoystick in an upper position;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of another embodiment of a handheld remotecontrol;

FIG. 11A is a front view of an embodiment of an Intelligent TV screen;

FIG. 11B is a front view of an embodiment of an Intelligent TV screen;

FIG. 11C is a front view of an embodiment of an Intelligent TV screen;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a handheld remote controlof either FIG. 7 or 10;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a content data service;

FIG. 14 is a screen shot of the Intelligent TV screen according toaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a partial screen shot of the Intelligent TV screen accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a screen shot of the Intelligent TV screen according toaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a screen shot of the Intelligent TV screen according toaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a partial screen shot of the Intelligent TV screen accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a screen shot of the Intelligent TV screen according toaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a screen shot of the Intelligent TV screen according toaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a partial screen shot of the Intelligent TV screen accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a screen shot of the Intelligent TV screen according toaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a screen shot of the Intelligent TV screen according toaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a screen shot of the Intelligent TV screen according toaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a flow chart according to an embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a flow chart according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 27 is a series of partial screen shots of the Intelligent TV screenaccording to an embodiment.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type maybe distinguished by following the reference label by a letter thatdistinguishes among the similar components. If only the first referencelabel is used in the specification, the description is applicable to anyone of the similar components having the same first reference labelirrespective of the second reference label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Presented herein are embodiments of a device. The device can be anetwork-enabled telecommunications device, such as a television, anelectronic visual display device, or other smart device. The device caninclude one or more screens, or sections of a screen, that areconfigured to receive and present information from a number of sources.Further, the device can receive user input in unique ways. The overalldesign and functionality of the device provides for an enhanced userexperience making the device more useful and more efficient.

Intelligent Television (TV) Environment:

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an Intelligent TV, or device, 100 isshown. It is anticipated that the Intelligent TV 100 may be used forentertainment, business applications, social interaction, contentcreation and/or consumption, and to organize and control one or moreother devices that are in communication with the Intelligent TV 100. Ascan be appreciated, the Intelligent TV can be used to enhance the userinteractive experience whether at home or at work.

In some embodiments, the Intelligent TV 100 may be configured to receiveand understand a variety of user and/or device inputs. For example, auser may interface with the Intelligent TV 100 via one or more physicalor electrical controls, such as buttons, switches, touch sensitivescreens/regions (e.g., capacitive touch, resistive touch, etc.), and/orother controls associated with the Intelligent TV 100. In some cases,the Intelligent TV 100 may include the one or more interactive controls.Additionally or alternatively, the one or more controls may beassociated with a remote control. The remote control may communicatewith the Intelligent TV 100 via wired and/or wireless signals. As can beappreciated, the remote control may operate via radio frequency (RF),infrared (IR), and/or a specific wireless communications protocol (e.g.,Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi, etc.). In some cases, the controls, whether physicalor electrical, may be configured (e.g., programmed) to suit a user'spreferences.

Additionally or alternatively, smart phones, tablets, computers,laptops, netbooks, and other smart devices may be used to control theIntelligent TV 100. For example, control of the Intelligent TV 100 maybe achieved via an application running on a smart device. Theapplication may be configured to present a user with various IntelligentTV 100 controls in an intuitive user interface (UI) on a screenassociated with the device 100. The screen may be a touch sensitive, ortouch screen, display. Selections input by a user via the UI may beconfigured to control the Intelligent TV 100 by the applicationaccessing one or more communication features associated with the smartdevice.

It is anticipated that the Intelligent TV 100 can receive input viavarious input devices including, but in no way limited to, video, audio,radio, light, tactile, and combinations thereof. Among other things,these input devices may be configured to allow the Intelligent TV 100 tosee, recognize, and react to user gestures. For instance, a user maytalk to the Intelligent TV 100 in a conversational manner. TheIntelligent TV 100 may hear and understand voice commands in a mannersimilar to a smart device's intelligent personal assistant andvoice-controlled navigator application (e.g., Apple's Siri, Android'sSkyvi, Robin, Iris, and other applications).

The Intelligent TV 100 may also be a communications device which canestablish network connections 104 through many alternate means,including wired 108 or wireless 112 means, over cellular networks 116 toconnect via cellular base antenna 142 to telephone networks operated bytelephone company 146, and by using a telephone line 120 to connect totelephone networks operated by telephone company 146. These connections104 enable the Intelligent TV 100 to access one or more communicationnetworks 132. The communication networks may comprise any type of knowncommunication medium or collection of communication media and may useany type of protocols to transport messages or signals betweenendpoints. The communication networks may include wired and/or wirelesscommunication technologies. The Internet is an example of acommunication network 132 that constitutes an Internet Protocol (IP)network consisting of many computers, computing networks, and othercommunication devices located all over the world, which are connectedthrough many telephone systems and other means.

Other examples of the communication network 132 include, withoutlimitation, a standard Plain Old Telephone System (POTS), an IntegratedServices Digital Network (ISDN), the Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), acellular network, and any other type of packet-switched orcircuit-switched network known in the art. In addition, it can beappreciated that the communication network 132 need not be limited toany one network type, and instead may be comprised of a number ofdifferent networks and/or network types.

In some embodiments, the Intelligent TV 100 may be equipped withmultiple communication means. The multiple communication means may allowthe Intelligent TV 100 to communicate across Local Area Networks (LANs)124, wireless local area networks (WLANs) 128, and other networks 132.The networks 132 may be connected in a redundant manner to ensurenetwork access. In other words, if one connection is interrupted, theintelligent TV 100 can use an alternate communications path toreestablish and/or maintain the network connection 104. Among otherthings, the Intelligent TV 100 may use these network connections 104 tosend and receive information, interact with an electronic program guide(EPG) 136, receive software updates 140, contact customer service 144(e.g., to receive help or service, etc.), and/or access remotely storeddigital media libraries 148. In addition, these connections can allowthe Intelligent TV 100 to make phone calls, send and/or receive emailmessages, send and/or receive text messages (such as email and instantmessages), surf the Internet using an internet search engine, post blogsby a blogging service, and connect/interact with social media sitesand/or an online community (e.g., Facebook™, Twitter, LinkedIn™,Pinterest™, GooglePlus™, MySpace™, and the like) maintained by a socialnetwork service. In combination with other components of the IntelligentTV 100 described in more detail below, these network connections 104also enable the Intelligent TV 100 to conduct video teleconferences,electronic meetings, and other communications. The Intelligent TV 100may capture and store images and sound, using associated cameras,microphones, and other sensors. Additionally or alternatively, theIntelligent TV 100 may create and save screen shots of media, images,and data displayed on a screen associated with the Intelligent TV 100.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the Intelligent TV 100 can interact withother electronic devices 168 by either by the wired 108 and/or wireless112 connections. As described herein, components of the Intelligent TV100 allow the device 100 to be connected to devices 168 including, butnot limited to, DVD players 168 a, BluRay players 168 b, portabledigital media devices 168 c, smart phones 168 d, tablet devices 168 e,personal computers 168 f, external cable boxes 168 g, keyboards 168 h,pointing devices 168 i, printers 168 j, game controllers and/or gamepads 168 k, satellite dishes 168 l, external display devices 168 m, andother universal serial bus (USB), local area network (LAN), Bluetooth™,or high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) compliant devices, and/orwireless devices. When connected to an external cable box 168 g orsatellite dish 168 l, the Intelligent TV 100 can access additional mediacontent. Also, as further described below, the Intelligent TV 100 iscapable of receiving digital and/or analog signals broadcast by TVstations. The Intelligent TV 100 can be configured as one or more of astandard-definition television, enhanced television, and high-definitiontelevision. It may operate as one or more of cable, Internet, InternetProtocol, satellite, web, and/or smart television. The Intelligent TV100 may also be used to control the operation of, and may interfacewith, other smart components such as security systems 172, door/gatecontrollers 176, remote video cameras 180, lighting systems 184,thermostats 188, refrigerators 192, and other appliances.

Intelligent TV:

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate components of the Intelligent TV 100. In general,as shown by FIG. 2A, the Intelligent TV 100 can be supported by aremovable base or stand 204 that is attached to a frame 208. The frame208 surrounds edges of a display screen 212, leaving a front surface ofthe display screen 212 uncovered. The display screen 212 may comprise aLiquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen, a plasma screen, Light EmittingDiode (LED) screen, or other screen types. In embodiments, the entirefront surface of the screen 212 may be touch sensitive and capable ofreceiving input by the user touching the front surface of the screen212.

The Intelligent TV 100 may include integrated speakers 216 and at leastone microphone 220. A first area of the frame 208 may comprise ahorizontal gesture capture region 224 and second areas comprise verticalgesture capture regions 228. The gesture capture regions 224, 228 maycomprise areas or regions that are capable of receiving input byrecognizing gestures made by the user, and in some examples, without theneed for the user to actually touch the screen 212 surface of theIntelligent TV 100. However, the gesture capture regions 224, 228 maynot include pixels that can perform a display function or capability.

One or more image capture devices 232, such as a camera, can be includedfor capturing still and/or video images. The image capture device 232can include or be associated with additional elements, such as a flashor other light source 236 and a range finding device 240 to assistfocusing of the image capture device. In addition, the microphone 220,gesture capture regions 224, 228, image capture devices 232, and therange finding device 240 may be used by the Intelligent TV 100 torecognize individual users. Additionally or alternatively, theIntelligent TV 100 may learn and remember preferences associated withthe individual users. In some embodiments, the learning and remembering(i.e., identifying and recalling stored information) may be associatedwith the recognition of a user.

An IR transmitter and receiver 244 may also be provided to connect theIntelligent TV 100 with a remote control device (not shown) or other IRdevices. Additionally or alternatively, the remote control device maytransmit wireless signals via RF, light, and/or a means other than IR.Also shown in FIG. 2A is an audio jack 248, which may be hidden behind apanel that is hinged or removable. The audio jack 248 accommodates atip, ring, sleeve (TRS) connector, for example, to allow the user toutilize headphones, a headset, or other external audio equipment.

The Intelligent TV 100 can also include a number of buttons 252. Forexample, FIG. 2A illustrates the buttons 252 on the top of theIntelligent TV 100, although the buttons could be placed at otherlocations. As shown, the Intelligent TV 100 includes six buttons 252a-f, which can be configured for specific inputs. For example, the firstbutton 252 a may be configured as an on/off button used to controloverall system power to the Intelligent TV 100. The buttons 252 may beconfigured to, in combination or alone, control a number of aspects ofthe Intelligent TV 100. Some non-limiting examples include, but are notlimited to, overall system volume, brightness, the image capture device,the microphone, and initiation/termination of a video conference.Instead of separate buttons, two of the buttons may be combined into arocker button. This rocker button arrangement may be useful insituations where the buttons are configured to control features such asvolume or brightness. In some embodiments, one or more of the buttons252 are capable of supporting different user commands. By way ofexample, a normal press has a duration commonly of less than about 1second and resembles a quick input. A medium press has a durationcommonly of 1 second or more but less than about 12 seconds. A longpress has a duration commonly of about 12 seconds or more. The functionof the buttons is normally specific to the application that is active onthe Intelligent TV 100. In the video conference application for instanceand depending on the particular button, a normal, medium, or long presscan mean end the video conference, increase or decrease the volume,increase a rate speed associated with a response to an input, and togglemicrophone mute. Depending on the particular button, a normal, medium,or long press can also control the image capture device 232 to increasezoom, decrease zoom, take a photograph, or record video.

In support of communications functions or capabilities, the IntelligentTV 100 can include one or more shared or dedicated antennae 256 andwired broadband connections 260 as shown in FIG. 2B. The antennae 256also enable the Intelligent TV 100 to receive digital and/or analogbroadcast TV channels. The wired broadband connections 260 are, forexample, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), an optical line, an Ethernetport, an IEEE 1394 interface, or other interfaces. The Intelligent TV100 also has a telephone line jack 262 to further provide communicationscapability.

In addition to the removable base 204, the Intelligent TV 100 mayinclude hardware and mounting points 264 on a rear surface to facilitatemounting the Intelligent TV 100 to a surface, such as a wall. In oneexample, the Intelligent TV 100 may incorporate at least one VideoEquipment Standards Association (VESA) mounting interface for attachingthe device 100 to the surface.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the Intelligent TV 100 may include dockinginterfaces or ports 268. The docking ports 268 may include proprietaryor universal ports to support the interconnection of the Intelligent TV100 to other devices or components, which may or may not includeadditional or different capabilities from those integral to theIntelligent TV 100. In addition to supporting an exchange ofcommunication signals between the Intelligent TV 100 and a connecteddevice or component, the docking ports 268 can support the supply ofpower to the connected device or component. The docking ports 268 canalso comprise an intelligent element that comprises a docking module forcontrolling communications or other interactions between the IntelligentTV 100 and the connected device or component.

The Intelligent TV 100 also includes a number of card slots 272 andnetwork or peripheral interface ports 276. The card slots 272 mayaccommodate different types of cards including subscriber identitymodules (SIM), secure digital (SD) cards, MiniSD cards, flash memorycards, and other cards. Ports 276 in embodiments may includeinput/output (I/O) ports, such as universal serial bus (USB) ports,parallel ports, game ports, and high-definition multimedia interface(HDMI) connectors.

An audio/video (A/V) I/O module 280 can be included to provide audio toan interconnected speaker or other device, and to receive audio inputfrom a connected microphone or other device. As an example, the audioinput/output interface 280 may comprise an associated amplifier andanalog to digital converter.

Hardware Features:

FIG. 3 illustrates components of a Intelligent TV 100 in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. In general, the Intelligent TV100 includes a primary screen 304. Screen 304 can be a touch sensitivescreen and can include different operative areas.

For example, a first operative area, within the screen 304, may comprisea display 310. In some embodiments, the display 310 may be touchsensitive. In general, the display 310 may comprise a full color,display.

A second area within the screen 304 may comprise a gesture captureregion 320. The gesture capture region 320 may comprise an area orregion that is outside of the display 310 area, and that is capable ofreceiving input, for example in the form of gestures provided by a user.However, the gesture capture region 320 does not include pixels that canperform a display function or capability.

A third region of the screen 304 may comprise a configurable area 312.The configurable area 312 is capable of receiving input and has displayor limited display capabilities. In embodiments, the configurable area312 may present different input options to the user. For example, theconfigurable area 312 may display buttons or other relatable items.Moreover, the identity of displayed buttons, or whether any buttons aredisplayed at all within the configurable area 312 of a screen 304, maybe determined from the context in which the Intelligent TV 100 is usedand/or operated.

In an exemplary touch sensitive screen 304 embodiment, the touchsensitive screen 304 comprises a liquid crystal display extending acrossat least those regions of the touch sensitive screen 304 that arecapable of providing visual output to a user, and a capacitive inputmatrix over those regions of the touch sensitive screen 304 that arecapable of receiving input from the user.

One or more display controllers 316 may be provided for controlling theoperation of the screen 304. The display controller 316 may control theoperation of the touch sensitive screen 304, including input (touchsensing) and output (display) functions. The display controller 316 mayalso control the operation of the screen 304 and may interface withother inputs, such as infrared and/or radio input signals (e.g.,door/gate controllers, alarm system components, etc.). In accordancewith still other embodiments, the functions of a display controller 316may be incorporated into other components, such as a processor 364.

The processor 364 may comprise a general purpose programmable processoror controller for executing application programming or instructions. Inaccordance with at least some embodiments, the processor 364 may includemultiple processor cores, and/or implement multiple virtual processors.In accordance with still other embodiments, the processor 364 mayinclude multiple physical processors. As a particular example, theprocessor 364 may comprise a specially configured application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC) or other integrated circuit, a digital signalprocessor, a controller, a hardwired electronic or logic circuit, aprogrammable logic device or gate array, a special purpose computer, orthe like. The processor 364 generally functions to run programming codeor instructions implementing various functions of the Intelligent TV100.

In support of connectivity functions or capabilities, the Intelligent TV100 can include a module for encoding/decoding and/orcompression/decompression 366 for receiving and managing digitaltelevision information. Encoding/decoding compression/decompressionmodule 366 enables decompression and/or decoding of analog and/ordigital information dispatched by a public television chain or in aprivate television network and received across antenna 324, I/O module348, wireless connectivity module 328, and/or other wirelesscommunications module 332. The television information may be sent toscreen 304 and/or attached speakers receiving analog or digitalreception signals. Any encoding/decoding and compression/decompressionis performable on the basis of various formats (e.g., audio, video, anddata). Encrypting module 368 is in communication with encoding/decodingcompression/decompression module 366 and enables the confidentiality ofall the data received or transmitted by the user or supplier.

In support of communications functions or capabilities, the IntelligentTV 100 can include a wireless connectivity module 328. As examples, thewireless connectivity module 328 can comprise a GSM, CDMA, FDMA and/oranalog cellular telephony transceiver capable of supporting voice,multimedia and/or data transfers over a cellular network. Alternativelyor in addition, the Intelligent TV 100 can include an additional orother wireless communications module 332. As examples, the otherwireless communications module 332 can comprise a Wi-Fi, Blutooth™,WiMax, infrared, or other wireless communications link. The wirelessconnectivity module 328 and the other wireless communications module 332can each be associated with a shared or a dedicated antenna 324 and ashared or dedicated I/O module 348.

An input/output module 348 and associated ports may be included tosupport communications over wired networks or links, for example withother communication devices, server devices, and/or peripheral devices.Examples of an input/output module 348 include an Ethernet port, aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) port, Thunderbolt™ or Light Peak interface,Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 port, orother interface.

An audio input/output interface/device(s) 344 can be included to provideanalog audio to an interconnected speaker or other device, and toreceive analog audio input from a connected microphone or other device.As an example, the audio input/output interface/device(s) 344 maycomprise an associated amplifier and analog-to-digital converter.Alternatively or in addition, the Intelligent TV 100 can include anintegrated audio input/output device 356 and/or an audio jack forinterconnecting an external speaker or microphone. For example, anintegrated speaker and an integrated microphone can be provided, tosupport near talk or speaker phone operations.

A port interface 352 may be included. The port interface 352 may includeproprietary or universal ports to support the interconnection of thedevice 100 to other devices or components, such as a dock, which may ormay not include additional or different capabilities from those integralto the device 100. In addition to supporting an exchange ofcommunication signals between the device 100 and another device orcomponent, the docking port 136 and/or port interface 352 can supportthe supply of power to or from the device 100. The port interface 352also comprises an intelligent element that comprises a docking modulefor controlling communications or other interactions between theIntelligent TV 100 and a connected device or component. The dockingmodule may interface with software applications that allow for theremote control of other devices or components (e.g., media centers,media players, and computer systems).

An Intelligent TV 100 may also include memory 308 for use in connectionwith the execution of application programming or instructions by theprocessor 364, and for the temporary or long term storage of programinstructions and/or data. As examples, the memory 308 may comprise RAM,DRAM, SDRAM, or other solid state memory. Alternatively or in addition,data storage 314 may be provided. Like the memory 308, the data storage314 may comprise a solid state memory device or devices. Alternativelyor in addition, the data storage 314 may comprise a hard disk drive orother random access memory.

Hardware buttons 358 can be included for example for use in connectionwith certain control operations. One or more image captureinterfaces/devices 340, such as a camera, can be included for capturingstill and/or video images. Alternatively or in addition, an imagecapture interface/device 340 can include a scanner, code reader, ormotion sensor. An image capture interface/device 340 can include or beassociated with additional elements, such as a flash or other lightsource. The image capture interfaces/devices 340 may interface with auser ID module 350 that assists in identifying users of the IntelligentTV 100.

The Intelligent TV 100 can also include a global positioning system(GPS) receiver 336. In accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention, the GPS receiver 336 may further comprise a GPS module thatis capable of providing absolute location information to othercomponents of the Intelligent TV 100. As will be appreciated, othersatellite-positioning system receivers can be used in lieu of or inaddition to GPS.

Power can be supplied to the components of the Intelligent TV 100 from apower source and/or power control module 360. The power control module360 can, for example, include a battery, an AC to DC converter, powercontrol logic, and/or ports for interconnecting the Intelligent TV 100to an external source of power.

Communication between components of the Intelligent TV 100 is providedby bus 322. Bus 322 may comprise one or more physical buses for control,addressing, and/or data transmission. Bus 322 may be parallel, serial, ahybrid thereof, or other technology.

Firmware and Software:

An embodiment of the software system components and modules 400 is shownin FIG. 4. The software system 400 may comprise one or more layersincluding, but not limited to, an operating system kernel 404, one ormore libraries 408, an application framework 412, and one or moreapplications 416. The one or more layers 404-416 can communicate witheach other to perform functions for the Intelligent TV 100.

An operating system (OS) kernel 404 contains the primary functions thatallow the software to interact with hardware associated with theIntelligent TV 100. Kernel 404 can include a collection of software thatmanages the computer hardware resources and provides services for othercomputer programs or software code. The operating system kernel 404 isthe main component of the operating system and acts as an intermediarybetween the applications and data processing done with the hardwarecomponents. Part of the operating system kernel 404 can include one ormore device drivers 420. A device driver 420 can be any code within theoperating system that helps operate or control a device or hardwareattached to or associated with the Intelligent TV. The driver 420 caninclude code for operating video, audio, and/or other multimediacomponents of the Intelligent TV 100. Examples of drivers includedisplay, camera, flash, binder (IPC), keypad, WiFi, and audio drivers.

Library 408 can contain code or other components that may be accessedand implemented during the operation of the software system 400. Thelibrary 408 may contain one or more of, but is not limited to, anoperating system runtime library 424, a TV services hypertextapplication language (HAL) library 428, and/or a data service library432. The OS runtime library 424 may contain the code required by theoperating system kernel 404 or other operating system functions to beexecuted during the runtime of the software system 400. The library caninclude the code that is initiated during the running of the softwaresystem 400.

The TV services hypertext application language library 428 can includecode required by TV services either executed in the applicationframework 412 or an application 416. The TV services HAL library 428 isspecific to the Intelligent TV 100 operations that control differentfunctions of the Intelligent TV. The TV service HAL library 428 can alsobe formed from other types of application languages or embodiments ofdifferent types of code or formats for code beyond the hypertextapplication language.

The data services library 432 can include the one or more components orcodes to implement components for the data services function. The dataservices function can be implemented in the application framework 412and/or applications layer 416. An embodiment of a function of the dataservices and the type of components that may be included is shown inFIG. 6.

The application framework 412 can include a general abstraction forproviding functionality that can be selected by one or more application416 to provide specific application functions or software for thoseapplications. Thus, the framework 412 can include one or more differentservices, or other applications, that can be accessed by theapplications 416 to provide general functions across two or moreapplications. Such functions include, for example, management of one ormore of windows or panels, surfaces, activities, content, and resources,The application framework 412 can include one or more, but is notlimited to, TV services 434, TV services framework 440, TV resources444, and user interface component 448.

The TV services framework 440 can provide an additional abstraction fordifferent TV services. TV services framework 440 allows for the generalaccess and function of services that are associated with the TVfunctionality. The TV services 436 are general services provided withinthe TV services framework 440 that can be accessed by applications inthe applications layer 416. The TV resources 444 provide code foraccessing TV resources 444 including any types of storage, video, audio,or other functionality provided with the Intelligent TV 100. The TVresources 444, TV services 436, and TV services framework 440 providefor the different implementations of TV functionality that may occurwith the Intelligent TV 100.

One or more user interface components 448 can provide general componentsfor display of the Intelligent TV 100. The user interface components 448might be general components that may be accessed by differentapplications provided in the application framework 412. The userinterface components 448 may be accessed to provide for panels and silosas described in conjunction with FIG. 5.

The applications layer 416 can both contain and execute applicationsassociated with the Intelligent TV 100. Applications layer 416 mayinclude one or more of, but is not limited to, a live TV application452, a video on demand application 456, a media center application 460,an application center application 464, and a user interface application468. The live TV application 452 can provide live TV over differentsignal sources. For example, the live TV application, 452, can provideTV from input from cable television, over air broadcasts, from satelliteservices, or other types of live TV services. Live TV application 452may then present the multimedia presentation or video and audiopresentation of the live television signal over the display of theIntelligent TV 100.

The video on demand application 456 can provide for video from differentstorage sources. Unlike Live TV application 452, video on demand 456provides for display of videos that are accessed from some memorysource. The sources of the video on demand can be associated with usersor with the Intelligent TV or some other type of service. For example,the video on demand 456 may be provided from an iTunes library stored ina cloud, from a local disc storage that contains stored video programs,or from some other source.

The media center application 460 can provide application for differenttypes of media presentation. For example, the media center 460 canprovide for displaying pictures or audio that is different from, butstill accessible by the user and different from live TV or video ondemand. The media center 460 allows for the access of different sourcesto obtain the media in the display of such media on the Intelligent TV100.

The application center 464 allows for the provision, storage and use ofapplications. An application can be a game, a productivity application,or some other application generally associated with computer systems orother devices, but may be operated within the Intelligent TV. Anapplication center 464 may obtain these applications from differentsources, store them locally and then execute those types of applicationsfor the user on the Intelligent TV 100.

User interface application 468 provides for the specific user interfacesassociated with the Intelligent TV 100. These user interfaces caninclude the silos and panels that are described in FIG. 5. An embodimentof the user interface software 500 is shown in FIG. 5. Here theapplication framework 412 contains one or more code components whichhelp control the user interface events while one or more applications inthe applications layer 416 affects the user interface use for theIntelligent TV 100. The application framework 412 can include a silotransition controller 504 and/or an input event dispatcher 508. Theremay be more or fewer code components in the application framework 412than those shown in FIG. 5. The silo transition controller 504 containsthe code and language that manages the transitions between one or moresilos. A silo can be a vertical user interface feature on theIntelligent TV that contains information for user. The transitioncontroller 504 can manage the changes between two silos when an eventoccurs in the user interface. The input event dispatcher 508 can receiveuser interface events that may be received from the operating system andprovided to the input event dispatcher 508. These events can includeselections of buttons on a remote control or on the TV or other types ofuser interface inputs. The input event dispatcher 508 may then sendthese events to a silo manager 532 or panel manager 536 depending on thetype of the event. The silo transition controller 504 can interface withthe silo manager 532 to affect changes in the silos.

The application layer 416 can include a user interface application 468and/or a silo application 512. The application layer 416 can includemore or fewer user interface applications as necessary, to control theuser interface of the Intelligent TV 100 than those shown in FIG. 5. Theuser interface application 468 can include a silo manager 532, a panelmanager 536, and one or more types of panels 516-528. The silo manager532 manages the display and/or features of silos. The silo manager 532can receive or send information from the silo transition controller 504or the input event dispatcher 508 to change the silos displayed and/orto determine types of input received in the silos.

A panel manager 536 is operable to display panels in the user interfaceto manage transitions between those panels or to affect user interfaceinputs received in the panel. The panel manager 536 may thus be incommunication with different user interface panels such as a globalpanel 516, a volume panel 520, a settings panel 524, and/or anotification panel 528. The panel manager 536 can display these types ofpanels depending on the inputs received from the input event dispatcher508. The global panel 516 may include information that is associatedwith the home screen or top level hierarchal information for the user. Avolume panel 520 may display information about an audio volume controlor other settings for volume. A settings panel 524 can includeinformation displayed about the settings of the audio or video, or othersettable characteristics of the Intelligent TV 100. A notification panel528 can provide information about notifications to a user. Thesenotifications can be associated with information, such as, video ondemand displays, favorites, currently provided programs, or otherinformation. Notifications can be associated with the media or with sometype of setting, or operation or the Intelligent TV 100. The panelmanager 536 may be in communication with a panel controller 552 of thesilo application 512.

The panel controller 552 may operate to control portions of the panelsof the types described previously. Thus, the panel controller 552 may bein communication with a top panel application 540, an application panel544, and/or bottom panel 548. These types of panels may be differentlydisplayed in the user interface of the Intelligent TV 100. The panelcontrol thus may be based on the configuration of the system or the typeof display being used currently, put the types of panels 516-528 into acertain display orientation governed by the top panel application 540,application panel 544, or bottom panel application 548.

An embodiment of the data service 432 and the operation of the datamanagement is shown in FIG. 6. The data management 600 can include oneor more code components that are associated with different types ofdata. For example, there may be code components within the data service432 that execute and are associated with video on demand, the electronicprogram guide, or media data. There may be more or fewer types of dataservice 432 components than those shown in FIG. 6. Each of the differenttypes of data may include a data model 604-612. The data models governwhat information is to be stored and how that information will be storedby the data service. Thus, the data model can govern regardless of wherethe data comes from, how the data will be received or managed within theIntelligent TV system. Thus, the data model 604, 608, and/or 612, canprovide a translation ability or affect the ability to translate datafrom one form to another to be used by the Intelligent TV 100.

The different types of data services (video on demand, electronicprogramming guide, media) each have a data subservice 620, 624, and/or628 that is in communication with one or more internal and/or externalcontent providers 616. The data subservices 620, 624, and 628 thatcommunicate with the content providers 616 to obtain data that may thenbe stored in databases 632, 636, and 640. The subservices 620, 624, and628 may communicate with and initiate or enable one or more sourceplug-ins 644, 648, and 652 to communicate with the content provider. Foreach content provider 616, there may be a different source plug-in 644,648, and 652. Thus, if there is more than one source of content for thedata, each of the data subservice 620, 624, and 628 may determine andthen enable or initiate a different source plug-in 644, 648, and/or 652.The content providers 616 may also provide information to a resourcearbitrator 656 and/or thumbnail cache manager 660. The resourcearbitrator 656 may operate to communicate with resources 664 that areexternal to the data service 432. Thus, the resource arbitrator 656 maycommunicate with cloud based storage, network based storage, or othertypes of external storage in the resources 664. This information maythen be provided through the content provider module 616 to the datasubservices 620, 624, 628. Likewise, a thumbnail cache manager 660 mayobtain thumbnail information from one of the data subservices 620, 624,628 and store that information in the thumbnail database 668. Furtherthe thumbnail cache manager 660 may extract or retrieve that informationfrom the thumbnails database 668 to provide to one of the datasubservices 620, 624, 628.

An exemplary content aggregation architecture 1300 is shown in FIG. 13.The architecture can include a user interface layer 1304 and contentaggregation layer 1308. The user interface layer 1304 may include a TVapplication 1312, media player 1316, and application(s) 1320. The TVapplication 1312 enables the viewer to view channels received via anappropriate transmission medium, such as cable, satellite, and/or theInternet. The media player 1316 views other types of media received viaan appropriate transmission medium, such as the Internet. Theapplication(s) 1320 include other TV-related (pre-installed)applications, such as content viewing, content searching, deviceviewing, and setup algorithms, and coordinates with the media player1316 to provide information to the viewer.

The content source layer 1308 includes, as data services, a contentsource service 1328, a content aggregation service 1332 and a contentpresentation service 1336. The content source service 1328 can managecontent source investigators, including local and/or network filesystem(s), digital network device manager (which discovers handheld andnon-handheld devices (e.g., digital media servers, players, renderers,controllers, printers, uploaders, downloaders, network connectivityfunctions, and interoperability units) by known techniques, such as amulticast universal plug and play or UPnP discovery techniques, and, foreach discovered device, retrieves, parses, and encodes devicedescriptors, notifies the content source service of the newly discovereddevice, and provides information, such as an index, on previouslydiscovered devices), Internet Protocol Television or IPTV, digitaltelevision or DTV (including high definition and enhanced TV), thirdparty services (such as those referenced above), and applications (suchas Android applications).

Content source investigators can track content sources and are typicallyconfigured as binaries. The content source service 1328 starts contentsource investigators and maintains open and persistent channels forcommunications. The communications include query or command and responsepairs. The content aggregation service 1332 can manage content metadatafetchers, such as for video, audio, and/or picture metadata. The contentpresentation service 1336 may provide interfaces to the content index1340, such as an Android application interface and digital deviceinterfaces.

The content source service 1328 can send and receive communications 1344to and from the content aggregation service 1332. The communications caninclude notifications regarding new and removed digital devices and/orcontent and search queries and results. The content aggregation service1332 can send and receive communications 1348 to and from the contentpresentation service 1336 including device and/or content lookupnotifications, content-of-interest advisories and notifications, andsearch queries and results.

When a search is performed, particularly when the user is searching orbrowsing content, a user request may be received from the user interfacelayer 1300, by the content presentation service 1336, which responsivelyopens a socket and sends the request to the content aggregation service1332. The content aggregation service 1332 first returns results fromthe local database 1340. The local database 1340 includes an index ordata model and indexed metadata. The content source service 1328 furtherissues search and browse requests for all content source investigatorsand other data management systems. The results are forwarded to thecontent aggregation service 1332, which updates the database 1340 toreflect the further search results and provides the original contentaggregation database search results and the data updates, reflecting theadditional content source service search results, over the previouslyopened socket to the content presentation service 1336. The contentpresentation service 1336 then provides the results to one or morecomponents in the user interface layer 1300 for presentation to theviewer. When the search session is over (e.g., the search session isterminated by the user or by an action associated with user), the userinterface layer 1300 disconnects the socket. As shown, media can beprovided directly by the content aggregation service 1332 to the mediaplayer 1316 for presentation to the user.

Remote Control:

A handheld remote control can be provided to enable user interactionwith the Intelligent TV 100. An exemplary handheld remote control isshown in FIGS. 7-9. The remote control 700 can include one or more of,but is not limited to, top, side and bottom housings 704, 708, and 712,an (on/off) power button 716, an input source button 720 (to selectinput source such as Live TV, video on demand, media center, applicationcenter, high definition multimedia interface or HDMI, component or COMP,audio/Video or A/V, digital or analog television or DTV/ATV, and videographics array (VGA)), a (volume) mute button 724, a Live TV button 728(to activate or select the Live TV silo), a video on demand (VOD) button732 (to activate or select the video on demand silo), a media centerbutton 736 (to activate or select the media center application or silo,which access various types of media such as music, TV programming,videos, and the like), an application center button 740 (to activate orselect the application center application or silo), a global panelbutton 744, an application panel button 748, a back button 752 (toselect a prior user operation or Intelligent TV state and/or navigate upa hierarchy of any displayed image or object(s) (in which case the backbutton 752 does not navigate within application panels or acrossapplication silos), a play button 756 (to play or pause media), a D-pad760 (which includes north, east, west, and south directional arrows tonavigate among displayed images and/or move between levels of anapplication's or object's hierarchy such as application view navigation,panel navigation, and collection navigation), an OK (or select) button764 (to select a highlighted displayed image (such as displayed speedcontrol, rewind, forward, play, and pause objects and/or objects on menubar or in a menu box) and/or navigate down a hierarchy of any displayedimage or object(s)), a rocker-type volume-up and volume-down button 768(to adjust the volume), a menu/guide button 772 (to select for display amenu or guide of programming), a 0-9 (number) button 776 (to display anumber pad on the TV screen), a settings button 780 (which launches anapplication to access current and change TV settings (such as channelsettings and settings used to adjust picture and sound effects (e.g.,image mode (e.g., standard, playground, game, cinema, concert, andstudio), brightness, contrast, saturation, color temperature, energysavings, 3D noise reduction, hue, sharpness, zoom mode (e.g., fullscreen, standard, smart zoom, and dot-to-dot), picture position, 3Dmode, for picture, and sound retrieval system or SRS TruSurround, soundmode (e.g., standard, live 1, live 2, theatre, music, speech, userequalizer mode, Left/Right speaker balance, auto volume control,Sony/Philips Interconnect Format or S/PDIF (off, auto, pulse codemodulation or PCM) for sound) and system settings (such as system (e.g.,selected language for graphical user interface, user geographical and/orgeopolitical location information, input method, area settings, andsleep time), network (e.g., WiFi, WiFi hotspot, WiFi direct,Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet or PPPoE (asymmetric digitalsubscriber line or ADSL), Ethernet) settings (e.g., enabled and disabledand selected and non-selected) and information (e.g., networkinformation (e.g., electronic address such as Internet Protocol or IPaddress, subnet mask, gateway, domain name server information, domainname, Media Access Control or MAC address, service set identification orSSID, security information, and password information) and inlinestatus), manage applications (e.g., currently installed applications,currently executing applications, and internal and external computerreadable medium usage), and view user information regarding theIntelligent TV 100)), a rocker-type channel-up and channel-down button784 (to increment or decrement the selected channel), and first, second,third and fourth hotkeys 788, 792, 794, and 796, and/or a moveablejoystick 900 on a bottom of the remote control 700. The first, second,third, and fourth hotkeys are generally assigned different colors, whichcolor indexing is depicted as visual indicia on a selected panel to showthe currently assigned function, if any, for each hotkey. As can beseen, the actuator layout can provide a highly efficient, satisfactory,and easily usable experience to the end user.

Unlike the functional associations and functions of many of theactuators, those of some of the actuators are not readily apparent. Anumber of examples will now be discussed by way of illustration.

The media center button 736, when selected, can provide informationregarding music, videos, photographs, collections or groupings of music,videos, and/or photographs, and internal and external computationaldevices (such as personal computers, laptops, tablet computers, wirelessphones, removable computer readable media, and the like), which can begrouped in a selected manner (such as favorites, most recently viewed,most watched or viewed, and most recently added). The information canincludes previews (which can include selected portions of the mediacontent, duration, file size, date created, date last watched, timeswatched or viewed, and audio and/or video format information).

The application center button 740, when selected, may provideinformation regarding pre-installed and downloaded applications. Unlikedownloaded applications, pre-installed applications cannot be removed bythe user or manually updated. Exemplary pre-installed applicationsinclude web browser, settings control, and content search algorithms. Byway of illustration, the application center button 740 can provide ascrollable graphical grid of icons (each icon being associated with anapplication) currently available in the application center.

The global panel button 744, when selected, can provide the user, viaone or more panels or windows, with access to one or more of, but notlimited to, silos, notifications, a web browser, system settings, and/orinformation associated therewith. For example, the global panel button744 can enable the user to determine what external devices are currentlyconnected to and/or disconnected from the Intelligent TV 100, determinewhat inputs (e.g., HDMI ports) are currently available for connecting toexternal devices, determine a connection and/or operational status of aselected external device and/or network (e.g., WiFi connected, Ethernetconnected, and offline), assign a custom (or user selected) name to eachinput source, determine what content is currently being offered on LiveTV, on demand, the media center, and/or the application center, accessvendor messages and notifications to the user (e.g., system and/orapplication updates are available), activate the Internet browser,and/or access shortcuts on a displayed shortcut bar to more frequentlyused and desired applications. Common shortcuts are Internet browser(e.g., Internet search engine), system settings, and notifications. Thecommon types of panels are for information (which is typicallyinformation related to a currently displayed image and/or content (e.g.,title, date/time, audio/visual indicator, rating, and genre), browserequests, and/or search requests (such as search term field)). Each ofthe panel types may include a panel navigation bar, detailed informationor relevant content to the panel function, operation and/or purpose, anda hotkey bar (defining currently enabled functional associations ofhotkeys).

The application panel button 748, when selected, can display anapplication window or panel. One application panel may be an informationpanel regarding a selected (pre-installed or previously downloaded)application icon. The information panel can one or more of identify theselected application, provide a description of the functionality(including application developer and/or vendor, version, release, and/orlast update date and a category or type of application based on theapplication's functionality) and user ratings and/or degree of otheruser downloading of the application (e.g., a star rating assigned basedon one or more of the foregoing inputs), provide the option to launch,remove, update, and add to favorites the identified application, andprovide a listing of selectable links of other (not yet downloaded)recommended applications that provide similar functionality to theidentified application. The latter listing can, in turn, provide adescription of the functionality (including application developer and/orvendor, version, release, and/or last update date and a category or typeof application based on the application's functionality) and userratings and/or degree of other user downloading of the application(e.g., a star rating assigned based on one or more of the foregoinginputs).

The functions of the first, second, third, and fourth hotkeys 788, 792,794, and 796 can change depending on system state, context, and/or,within a selected screen and/or panel, based on a content or currentlyselected portion of (or relative cursor position on) the screen.Commonly, a currently assigned function of any of the first, second,third, and fourth hotkeys 788, 792, 794, and 796 depends on a currentlyaccessed silo and/or panel (with which the user is currently interactingwithin the silo). In other words, a first function of one of the first,second, third, and fourth hotkeys 788, 792, 794, and 796 is activated bythe respective hotkey in a first system state while a different secondfunction is activated by the respective hotkey in a different secondsystem state. In another example, a third function of one of the first,second, third, and fourth hotkeys 788, 792, 794, and 796 is activated bythe respective hotkey when a user focus (or currently selected cursorposition or screen portion) is at a first screen position while adifferent fourth function is activated by the respective hotkey when auser focus (or currently selected cursor position or screen portion) isat a different second screen position. The first screen position can,for instance, be within an icon while the second screen position isoutside of the icon. Hotkey functionality that could be enabled when inthe first screen position may be “configure” and “remove” and disabledis “add”, and, when in the second position hotkey functionality enabledcan be “add” and disabled is “configure” and “remove”. Generally, thestates of hotkeys can include normal (for enabled actions or functions),disabled (when an action or function is temporarily disabled), pressed(when selected by a user to command an action or function to beperformed), and unavailable (when no association between the hotkey andan action or function is currently available). While examples of hotkeyfunctions are discussed below, it is to be understood that these are notintended to be exhaustive or limiting examples.

The first hotkey 788, when selected in a first system state, can enablethe user to assign, change, or edit a name of an input source. It istypically enabled only when the input source of HDMI, Comp/YPbPr (e.g.,component video cables), video output, and VGA is in focus. Whenselected in a second system state, the first hotkey 788 can return theuser to a top of a scrollable collection of objects, such as applicationicons.

The second hotkey 792 may show all or less. In other words, the hotkey792 can allow the user to show all inputs, including theunconnected/undetected ones and to hide the unconnected/undetectedinputs, e.g., to expand and collapse the silo/input list. Each inputsource can have one of two states, namely connected/detected andunconnected/undetected. Some input sources, including Live TV, video ondemand, media center, and application center are alwaysconnected/detected.

The moveable joystick 900 on the bottom of the remote control 700, whenmanipulated, can cause a displayed image on the Intelligent TV 100screen to be displaced a proportional amount. In other words, thedisplayed image is displaced substantially simultaneously withdisplacement of the joystick 900 within the joystick aperture 904 in thebottom housing 712 of the remote control. As shown in FIGS. 9B-C, thejoystick 900 moves or slides between forward and reverse positions.Releasing the joystick 900 causes the joystick 900 to return to thecenter position of FIG. 9A, and the window to move or slide upwardly(when the joystick is released from the joystick position of FIG. 9B) ordownwardly (when the joystick is released from the joystick position ofFIG. 9C) until it disappears from view as shown in FIG. 11A. The effecton the screen of the Intelligent TV 100 is shown in FIGS. 11A-C. In FIG.11A, video content, such as TV programming, a video, movie, and thelike, is being displayed by front surface of the screen 212. In FIG.11B, the joystick 900 is moved or slid to the upper position of FIG. 9B,and a drop down window or panel 1100 moves or slides down (at thesubstantially the same rate of joystick 900 movement) at the top of thescreen 212. In FIG. 11C, the joystick 900 is moved or slid to the lowerposition of FIG. 9C, and a drop up window or panel 1100 moves or slidesup (at the substantially the same rate of joystick 900 movement) at thebottom of the screen 212. The window 1100 partially covers the videocontent appearing on the remainder of the screen 212 and/or causes aportion of the screen 212 displaying video content to move and/orcompress up or down the height of the window 1100.

The window 1100 can include one or more of information (which istypically information related to a currently displayed image and/orcontent (e.g., panel navigation bar, detailed information (e.g., title,date/time, audio/visual indicator, rating, and genre), and hotkey bar(defining current functional associations of hotkeys)), browse requests,and/or search requests. Commonly, the window 1100 includes suitableinformation about the content (such as name, duration, and/or remainingviewing duration of content), settings information, TV or system controlinformation, application (activation) icons (such as for pre-installedand/or downloaded applications such as application center, media centerand Web browser), and/or information about input source(s), When thejoystick 900 is in either the forward or reverse position, the user canselect an actuator on the front of the remote control, such as the OKbutton 764, and be taken, by displayed images on the screen 212, toanother location in the user interface, such as a desktop. This processcan be done in a nonintrusive manner and without affecting the flow ofcontent that is pushed up or down. The joystick 900 could be moved,additionally or differently, from side-to-side to cause the window toappear at the left or right edge of the screen 212.

An alternative actuator configuration is shown in FIG. 10. The actuatorsare substantially the same as those of FIGS. 7-9 except that the socialnetwork button 1000, when selected, can automatically select content andpublish, via a social network service or other social media, the contentto a social network or online community. User or viewer comments and/orother messages can be included in the outbound message. For example, allor one or frames or portions of media content (such as a video, music, aphotograph, a picture, or text) can be provided automatically to apredetermined or selected group of people via Linked-In™, Myspace™,Twitter™, YouTube™, DailyMotion™, Facebook™, Google+™ or Second Life™The user, upon activating the button 1000 could, in response, select asocial forum or media upon which the selected content (which is thecontent displayed to the user when the social network button 1000 isactivated) is to be posted and/or a predetermined group within thatsocial media to which the content is to be posted. Alternatively, theseselections could be preconfigured or preselected by the user.

The social network button can also be used to “turn up” or “turn down” asocial volume visualization. The Intelligent TV 100 can createdynamically a visualization of aggregated connections (and inboundand/or outbound messages) from a variety of social networks. Theaggregation (and inbound and outbound messages) can be depictedgraphically on the screen as a volume of connections to influence theviewer user. With a social volume visualization, selected contents ofeach linked social network profile of a social contact (and inboundand/or outbound messages from or to the linked social network contactand/or current activity of the social contact (such as watching the sameprogramming or content the viewer is currently watching) can bepresented in a separate tile (or visually displayed object). The size ofthe tile can be related to any number of criteria, including arelationship of the linked social contact (e.g., a relative degree ofimportance or type of relationship can determine the relative size ofthe tile, a degree of influence of the linked social contact to thecurrent viewer, a geographic proximity of the linked social contact tothe current viewer, a degree to which the currently provided mediacontent is of interest to both the viewer and linked social contact(e.g., both parties enjoy war movies, murder mysteries, musicals,comedies, and the like), an assigned ranking of the linked viewer by theviewer, a type of social network type linking the viewer with the linkedsocial contact, a current activity of the social network contact (e.g.,currently watching the same content that the viewer is currentlywatching), a current online or offline status of the linked socialcontact, and a social network grouping type or category to which boththe viewer and linked social contact belong (e.g., work contact, bestfriend, family member, etc.).

The viewer can designate a portion of the screen to depict the socialnetwork aggregation. By turning the social volume up (+) or down (−),the viewer can increase the size and/or numbers of linked contact tilesprovided to the viewer. In other words, by increasing the social volumethe viewer can view, access, and/or push more social content from thoseof his or her social networks associated with him or her in a memory ofthe Intelligent TV. By decreasing the social volume, the viewer canview, access, and/or push less social content from his or her associatedsocial networks. By selecting the mute button 724, the viewer can stopor pause any interactivity with his or her associated social networks(e.g., inbound or outbound messages). Social volume and/or mute can beseparated into two (or more) volume settings for outbound and inboundsocial network activity. By way of illustration, a first volume setting,control, and/or button can control the volume for outbound socialnetwork activity (e.g., outbound social messages) while a second(different) volume setting, control, and/or button can control thevolume for inbound social network activity (e.g., inbound socialmessages). By way of further illustration, a first mute setting,control, and/or button can stop or pause outbound social networkactivity (e.g., outbound social messages) while a second (different)mute setting, control, and/or button can stop or pause inbound socialnetwork activity (e.g., inbound social messages).

A functional block diagram of the remote control is shown in FIG. 12.The remote control 700 includes a controller 1208 to control andsupervise remote control operations, optional wireless (RF) transceiver1224 and antenna 1244 to send and receive wireless signals to and fromthe Intelligent TV 100 and other external components, optional infraredemitter 1228 to emit infrared signals to the Intelligent TV 100,optional light emitting diode or LED driver 1232 to control LEDoperation to provide video-enabled feedback to the user, actuators 1220(including the various buttons and other actuators discussed above inconnection with FIGS. 7 and 10), and joystick 900, all interconnectedvia a bus 1248. An on board power source 1200 and power managementmodule 1204 provide power to each of these components via powercircuitry 1240. The infrared emitter 1228 and receiver (not shown) onthe Intelligent TV system 100 can be used to determine a displayedobject illuminated by the infrared signal and therefore adjust thedisplayed image, for example to indicate a focus of the user (e.g.,illuminate a displayed object or show cursor position relative todisplayed objects on the screen) and to determine and activate a desiredcommand of the user. This can be done by tracking a position of theremote control in relation to infrared tracking reference points (e.g.,a sensor bar or infrared LED's) positioned on or adjacent to the screenof the Intelligent TV 100. Motion tracking can further be augmentedusing position information received from a multi-axis gyroscope and/oraccelerometer on board the remote control (not shown).

Using metadata associated with the programming, the applicationframework 412 can distinguish between, and classify Live TV programmingas, the following program types: movies, TV show episodes (which can beany type of recurring show such as drama series, sitcoms, animatedseries, reality shows, mini series, talk shows, game shows, andnewscasts), sport events (such as baseball, hockey, boxing, football,and other sporting event programming), specials (such as holidayspecials, election coverage, and special news reports), radio (whichdeliver audio-only broadcasts), and undefined (which refers toprogramming having no associated metadata). Based on metadata associatedwith the programming, the application framework 412 can furtherdistinguish between and classify each program type into a programcategory. Common program categories include political, law, military,economic, culture, sports, the Arts, history, geography, science,medical, environmental, social, recreation, and other (for anynon-specified electronic programming guide (“EPG”) entries). Themetadata can be obtained from the content aggregation service 1332, acontent metadata fetcher, such as for video, audio, and/or picturemetadata, and the like. The metadata, for example, can be obtained froman Internet accessible EPG provider. Examples of metadata formatsinclude EVB-SI, TV-Anytime, and MPEG-7 and communication protocolsinclude the Programming Metadata Communication Protocol (“PMCP”) andProgram and System Information Protocol (“PSIP”). Typically, the datawhich populates the EPG comes from the PSIP. PMCP provides the sourcedata for PSIP, A PSIP generator converts PMCP to a broadcast-readyformat. The downloaded EPG metadata is typically stored locally in acomputer readable medium.

The user application framework 412 further enables the user to mark aselected channel or program as a “favorite”. This marking means that theuser is more interested in these programming items than other items; inother words, the user is more likely to watch favorite programs andchannels than other unmarked programs and channels. Once a channel orprogram is marked as a “favorite”, it is highlighted in all views andmade easier to access. While favorite channels and programs can belocated by an EPG provider in the cloud, the favorite channels andprograms are typically maintained only in the local computer readablemedium and not remotely.

The application framework 416 can further enable the user to setreminders for specific programs. Reminders cause notifications by thenotification panel 528 that a specific program is about to start,regardless of where or how the user is currently interacting with theIntelligent TV 100 (e.g., regardless of what channel or silo the user iscurrently interacting with). When a reminder is set, it is created forthat specific instance of the complete series. For example if a programwere to be on every Friday night at 8 pm on channel 3, setting areminder for the program creates a reminder that the program is providedevery Friday at 7:58 pm. If a program were to be a single airing event(such as a movie or special), a reminder is provided only for thatinstance.

The EPG, which can be selected by the menu/guide button 772, providesusers with a continuously updating table of scheduling information oncurrent and upcoming programming. The EPG is typically obtained, via anetwork 128 (e.g., the Internet) from a third party source. The EPG canbe used to discover content to watch and set reminders for futureprograms. EPG program listings typically provide at least the followinginformation: show name (which is the full name of the program (e.g., TVepisode, movie or special), length of show (which is shown by therelative size of the listing or associated icon in the table), progressof show (programs in process are visually differentiated from shows notin progress to show the progress), favorite indicator (programs thathave been marked as a favorite are visually differentiated, such as by afavorite icon, to show that they are favorites), reminder indicator(programs that have been set to trigger a reminder are visuallydifferentiated, such as by a reminder icon, to show that they containreminders), first air indicator (programs that are airing for the firsttime are visually differentiated, such as by a first-to-air icon, toshow that they are airing for the first time), program type indicator(the program listing contains a visual indicator, such a program-typeindicator, to show the program type), and an HD indicator (the programlisting contains a visual indicator, such an HD indicator, to show thatthe program is in high definition).

One EPG format will be discussed with reference to FIG. 14. Theintelligent TV 100 displays the EPG modal 1400. The display includes alive preview area 1404 (which displays programming on the currentlyactive channel (and not the channel that is in focus within the EPG)), aprogram preview area 1408, the EPG 1412, and the hot key bar 1416 (whichis color-coded to the hot keys to show currently enabled hot keyfunctionality, e.g., the red hot key corresponds to “Now”, which, ifselected, jumps to currently playing program in the EPG, the yellow hotkey to “Categories”, which, if selected, switches the category view, thegreen hot key to “Manage”, which, if selected, switches to the manageview, and the blue hot key to “Mark”, which, if selected, provides amodal with three choices, namely set a reminder for [Show Name], Add[Show Name] to favorites, and add [channel number] to favorite channels,where the item in brackets refers to the currently selected channel andprogram).

The program preview area 1408 corresponds to the program or channellisting currently selected or in-focus. For the channel listing, theprogram preview area 1408 includes program information about the programcurrently being aired on the channel. The program preview area 1408 caninclude the following fields, namely show name 1420, season 1422 (ifapplicable) (which can be the number of the season), episode number1424, episode name 1428, start and end time 1432, description 1436(which describes the current program), thumbnail view 1440 (which is athumbnail preview of the current program (e.g., a still (not moving)image, such as a captured frame of the second programming (e.g., ascreen grab provided by the Internet-provided EPG service)), a picture(such as a movie poster), or a photograph), channel 1442 providing theprogram, and other information 1444 (which can include current time(e.g., the current time of day), duration (or start-to-finish time),runtime (or temporal progress of the program), runtime remaining, rating(e.g., TV-Y, TY-Y7, TV-G, TV-PG, TV-14, and TV-MA), video format (orresolution of the current program), audio format (or audio format of thecurrent program), digital air date or first airing indicator, encryptionstatus (when the channel is detected to be encrypted (regardless ofdecryption status)), program category, program type, track information(for radio programming—the name of the current artist and track), andother indicators noted above).

The EPG includes plural program listings, with each listing having achannel indicator 1448 and show name 1452. The program listings mayfurther include a favorite (program) indicator 1456 (which is shown inthe shape of a star but can be any other indicator), a first airindicator 1460 (which is shown as “NEW” but can be any other indicator),and a reminder indicator 1464 (shown as a blue dot but can be any otherindicator). The channel indicator 1448 typically includes the channelnumber, channel logo, an active channel indicator (to show that thechannel is currently playing), a selected channel indicator (to showthat the channel is currently in-focus), and a favorite (channel)indicator (not shown) (showing that the channel is marked as a favoritechannel by the user). Time indicators are shown at the top of the EPGand placed relative to the EPG program listings to show, as the case maybe, a total or remaining duration of the program.

The EPG of FIG. 14 is by channel. Other EPG formats can be used. Anexample EPG 1500 format is shown in FIG. 15, which is by time. Thelisted programs each have an associated start time 1504 (which may bedifferent or the same for plural listings), a show name 1456, andchannel indicator 1448. The program listings can be grouped by programtype, program category, or channel. A band 1508 shows the currentprogram runtime for programs in process. The format supports the othervisual indicators of the EPG of FIG. 14. While the EPG of FIG. 14 can bescrolled not only vertically (e.g., up and down in channels) but alsohorizontally (e.g., backwards and forwards in time) using the D-Pad 760of the remote control, the EPG of FIG. 15 can be scrolled onlyvertically (e.g., up and down in channels for the selected time). Thetopmost program listing in each of the EPG formats, when the format ispresented initially, is typically the current program in view. The OKbutton 764 or play button 756 on the remote control selects an in-focusprogram listing for view. When a channel or program is selected, theapplication layer 416 automatically exits the EPG display and commencesviewing the selected programming.

With reference to FIG. 16, the interaction of EPG with selected programcategories is illustrated. The vertically scrollable category area 1600presents a scrollable listing of selectable program category bars 1604.Moving focus to a category bar causes the EPG 1412 program listings tobe refreshed with a set of program listings filtered by the in-focuscategory bar. In the hot key bar 1416, the red hot key corresponds to“Now”, the yellow and green hot keys correspond to no assignedfunctionality and the blue hot key to “Mark”. Unlike the other EPGformats, the category-enabled EPG is fixed to a two-hour window andtherefore cannot be scrolled horizontally. Stated another way, onlychannels having a program on (in the next two hours) that matches theselected or in-focus category are shown. Those category-matchingprograms are visually highlighted relative to category non-matchingprograms to show the match. The content of the program preview area 1408reflects the currently in-focus program listing. The OK button 764 orplay button 756 on the remote control selects an in-focus programlisting for view. When a channel or program is selected, the applicationlayer 416 automatically exits the EPG display and commences viewing theselected programming.

With reference to FIG. 17, the interaction of EPG with favoriteindicators is illustrated. The manage favorite area 1700 includesselectable bars 1708 for favorite channels, shows, reminders, andchannel list and a vertically scrollable channel listing 1704. Movingthe focus from one selectable bar 1708 to another causes the verticallyscrollable channel listing 1704 to be refreshed to mirror the currentlyin-focus bar 1708. Each listing in the channel listing 1704 includes,when the favorite channels bar 1708 is in-focus, a favorite indicator1456, a channel identifier 1712, channel logo 1716, channel name 1720,and a remove icon 1724 (which, if selected, removes the correspondingchannel from the set of favorite channels). When the favorite shows bar1708 is in-focus, a program listing is provided in lieu of the channellisting 1704. Each channel listing includes a favorite indicator 1456, ashow name. and a remove icon 1724 (which, if selected, removes thecorresponding program from the set of favorite programs). Referring toFIG. 18, when multiple airings of the same program are currently airing,those programs are highlighted accordingly. Selecting the program willprovide the user with a modal 1800 of all the listings that arecurrently live. The modal lists each currently live program listing orepisode by start time, show name and channel indicator. The content ofthe program preview area 1408 reflects the currently in-focus channelprogramming (in-focus not requiring selection by the OK or play buttonsbut focus only by the cursor) or program listing. In the hot key bar1416, the red hot key corresponds to “Guide” (which, if selected, jumpsback to currently playing program in the full EPG), and the yellow,green, and red hot keys correspond to no assigned functionality.

The channel list bar 1700, when selected, enables the user to hide andrestore channels. Hiding a channel will remove the channel from allviews as well as from the normal channel changing experience. If thehidden channel has been marked as a favorite, it will automatically beun-favorited (or removed from the set of favorite channels) beforeremoval. Restoring or un-hiding a channel will reactivate the channeland make it re-accessible from all views. Channels that are hidden arevisually differentiated from active channels. In the hot key bar 1416,the red hot key corresponds to “Guide” (which, if selected, jumps backto currently playing program in the full EPG), the yellow hot key to“Restore all” (which, if selected restores all hidden channels), thegreen hot key to no assigned functionality, and the blue hot key to“Favorites” (which, if selected, toggles the favorite status of thelisted channel(s)).

The reminder bar 1708, when selected, enables the user to manage allconfigured reminders. The vertically scrollable list of programs in theprogram listing contains all programs that have reminders set. In thehot key bar 1416, the red hot key corresponds to “Guide” (which, ifselected, jumps back to currently playing program in the full EPG), theyellow hot key to “Date/Alphabetic” (which, if selected changes the sortorder from alphabetic to date (items ordered by soonest to latest) orvice versa with items having no upcoming air date being orderedalphabetically at the end), and the green and blue hot keys to noassigned functionality.

In any of the variations of FIG. 17, the OK button 764 or play button756 on the remote control selects an in-focus program or channel listingfor live viewing. When a channel or program is selected, the applicationlayer 416 automatically exits the EPG display and commences viewing theselected programming.

With reference to FIG. 19, the header bar 1900 will be discussed. Theheader bar 1900 provides contextual information for the currentlywatched program. The header bar 1900 includes the following fields:channel indicator 1448, program preview area 1408, current time, currentviewing time remaining (or completed) 1904 and/or start-to-finishviewing time 1908 for the currently selected program, video format 1912,and audio format 1916. The header bar 1900 is presented for all programtypes, including movies, TV show episodes, sport, specials, radio, andundefined. During programming viewing, the header bar 1900 is alwaysdisplayed whenever the D-Pad 760 is touched or whenever the channel ischanged. It auto hides (or is no longer viewable) after a predeterminedtime, such as 5 seconds. In the viewing area 1920, a full screenthumbnail view of the current program (which can be the same ordifferent to the thumbnail view 1440 in the header bar 1900) isdisplayed. As noted, the thumbnail view can be program poster if theprogram poster is available; otherwise, the thumbnail view should be ascreen grab provided by the Internet-provided EPG service. When a newchannel or program is selected, both the header bar 1900 and viewingarea 1920 are updated immediately to reflect the new programming withoutneeding to wait for the newly selected channel or program to activate.The activation delay can be caused by tuning delays. During theactivation delay, the viewing area 1920 of the display is unable todisplay the new programming as a live feed and may continue to displayvideo frames from the prior programming even after a new channel orprogram is selected. The thumbnail view on the display or viewing areacan improve the channel changing experience as all channels will show afull-screen thumbnail view immediately after channel or programselection and while tuning takes place. This can allow the user to flipquickly through channels and view what is on without having to wait forthe tuner to catch up.

There are many modes to change channels or programming. With referenceto FIGS. 7-10, the remote control includes channel-up and channel-downbutton 784 to select a next higher or lower channel, respectively, forviewing. The D-Pad 760 can scroll through EPG program or channellistings as described above, and the OK button 764 can select a programor channel for viewing. When not in the EPG display mode, the D-Pad 760can be used to cycle through favorite channels that have been set on thesystem along with favorite programs that are currently airing. Opposingsets of arrows, either the up and down arrows or the left and rightarrows, when pressed cycle through the favorite channels and programs.The back button 752 can change the currently viewed channel to thelast-viewed channel. Repeatedly pressing the back button 752 will togglebetween the currently viewed and previously viewed channels. Whenscrolling in any of these modes, once the largest or smallest numberedchannel is reached, the next press takes the user to the smallest orlargest numbered channel, respectively.

With reference to FIGS. 7-10, the remote control does not have numberkeys but rather a 0-9 (number) button 776, which, if selected, revealsan on screen channel changer 2000 shown in FIG. 20. The on screenchannel changer 2000 includes a program preview area 1408 (reflectingthe currently in-focus channel), a vertically scrollable (EPG) channellisting 2004 (each listing including the channel indicator 1448, showname and progress bar), and a number input bar 2008. In the number inputbar 2008, only numbers that will currently produce a selectable channelare enabled. Disabled numbers cannot receive focus and are bypassedduring navigation of the number input bar. As each number is selected,the numbers enabled and disabled will vary to reflect the selectablechannels available from the root numbers selected. The back button 752acts as a backspace and, when selected, deletes the last numberselected. The removal of the number keys or buttons from the remotecontrol reduces the complexity of the remote control and therebyimproves the remote control's overall usability and simplicity while theon screen channel changer 2000 provides the user with the ability tochange channels using only the D-Pad 760. One opposing set of arrows(e.g., the up and down arrows) scrolls up and down through the programlisting 2004 while the other opposing set of arrows (e.g., the left andright moves to the left and right, respectively, through the numberinput bar 2008.

The on screen channel changer 2000 can have different EPG channellisting configurations. In one configuration, a mini EPG is presentedhaving a single channel listing of the last channel that was manuallyentered by the user (that may not be the currently viewed channel). Inanother configuration shown in FIG. 20, as numbers are selected adynamic EPG channel listing is presented. The channels in the dynamicEPG listing correspond to the channels that are currently selectablefrom the root entered numbers. For example, if the user has entered “11”and only numbers “2”, “4”, and “6” in the number input bar are enabled,the channels in the dynamic EPG channel listing would include channellistings for channels 112, 114, and 116.

With reference to FIG. 21, a D-Pad channel navigation display is shown.Pressing left or right arrows in the D-Pad moves focus from file 2100 tofile 2100. Each file 2100 includes a channel number and logo, thumbnailview 1440, progress bar 1504, and program information 2104 (e.g.,program name, episode name, season number, episode number, and/orprogram type and/or category). An in-focus file can be selected bypressing the OK button. The channels to the right of center 2108 can bemade up of all channels that have been set as favorites along with anyother channels that are currently airing a favorite program. Thefavorite channels can be ordered by channel increasing or decreasingfrom the center 2108 out. The channels to the left of the center 2108can be made of all recommendations based on the user's favorites andwatching patterns (e.g., this can initially be limited to programsmatching the active program's category until cloud-based recommendationsare available). The user's current favorites, for example, can be usedto identify similar channels and/or programs that may be of interest tothe user. A similar channel may be, for example, a channel broadcastinga favorite program of the user. A similar program may be, for example, aprogram of a similar category or type to a current favorite. Watchingpatterns can be determined, for example, by monitoring the frequency(over a selected period of time) of the user selecting a channel and/orwatching a program (such as an episode, sport event, news program, andthe like). When the frequency is at least a determined amount, thechannel or program is recommended. The recommended channels and/orprograms can be ordered based on frequency magnitude. As will beappreciated, other techniques can be used to recommend a channel orprogram to the user. The recommended channels can be ordered by channelincreasing or decreasing from the center 2108 out.

The information panel for an episode is shown in FIG. 22. It isavailable when the user is watching any episode and provides extendedinformation on the currently watched program. The information panel 2200is adjacent to the viewing area 1920 displaying the live episodeprogramming and displaying the current time 2216. The information panel2200 includes a panel navigation bar 2204, a thumbnail view 1440 andchannel number, name and logo 1442 with accompanying information fieldsfor the episode being displayed in the viewing area 1920, a favoriteaction button 2208 (which, is selected, provides a modal providing theoptions: add or remove a program to or from favorites, add or remove achannel to or from favorites, audio track button 2220 (only visible isthere are multiple audio tracks and, if selected, provides a modal witha list of all audio tracks available with the video), and subtitlebutton 2224 (which, if selected, provides a modal with a list of allsubtitle tracks available within the video), an on next mini EPG 2212,and hot keys 1416. The accompanying information fields include show name1420, episode name 1428, and other information 1428 (which includes oneor more of program category of the episode, program video format of theepisode, program audio format of the episode, program description of theepisode, program start and end times of the episode, program seasonnumber of the episode (or the season to which the episode belongs),episode number, original air date of the episode, first air indicator,encryption status, and rating of the episode). The on next mini EPG 2212shows a small time-based EPG with the next few listings of the episodethat will be aired. In the hot key bar 1416, the red hot key correspondsto “Guide”, which, if selected, dismisses the information panel andlaunches the full-screen EPG, the yellow hot key to “View in HD”, which,if selected, switches to the channel currently airing the same programin HD (which is useful when the current channel is airing the program inSD), the green hot key to “Remind”, which, if selected, toggles thereminder on and off for the selected or in-focus program, and the bluehot key to “Favorite”, which, if selected, provides a modal with theoptions: add or remove [Program] to or from favorites and add or remove[Channel] to or from favorites.

An information panel similar to that of FIG. 22 is provided for TVspecials, movies, sporting events, radio, and undefined programming. Anyof the information panels can be selected by selecting the “Info” optionon the panel navigation bar 2204.

From the display of FIG. 22, an EPG panel can be selected by selectingthe On Now option on the panel navigation bar 2204. This selectionreplaces the information panel 2200 with an EPG 1412 similar to that ofFIG. 14. It provides a vertically scrollable listing of programsavailable or airing within the next hour. In this panel, the hot keyassignments remain the same as the information panel except for theyellow hot key, which has no corresponding assigned function.

From the display of FIG. 22, a categories panel can be selected byselecting the Category option on the panel navigation bar 2204. Thisselection replaces the information panel 2200 with a verticallyscrollable list of all available program categories. Categories nothaving available content are excluded from the listing. Selecting alisted category provides a focused mini EPG listing the correspondingavailable programs within the selected category. In the hot key bar1416, the red hot key corresponds to “Go to Top”, which, if selected,returns the user to the top of the panel, the yellow hot key has nocorresponding function, the green hot key to “Remind”, which, ifselected, toggles the reminder on and off for the selected or in-focusprogram, and the blue hot key to “Favorite”, which, if selected, marksthe series in focus as a favorite and, when the series is already afavorite, removes the series from the set of favorites.

From the display of FIG. 22, a favorites panel can be selected byselecting the Favorite option on the panel navigation bar 2204. Thisselection replaces the information panel 2200 with a verticallyscrollable list of all channels that have been marked as favorites alongwith currently airing programs that are marked as favorites. The listingof channels includes channel number, name and logo and show name. Thelisting is updated dynamically such that, when a favorite program endsfor a channel that is not a favorite, the program is removed from thelisting. In the hot key bar 1416, the red hot key corresponds to“Guide”, which, if selected, dismisses the favorites panel and launchesthe full-screen EPG, the yellow and green hot keys have no correspondingfunctions, and the blue hot key to “Favorite”, which, if selected,provides a modal with the options: add or remove [Program] to or fromfavorites and add or remove [Channel] to or from favorites.

From the display of FIG. 22, a search panel 2300 can be selected byselecting the Search option on the panel navigation bar 2204. The searchpanel 2300 allows the user to search for media within the EPG forcontent that will be available within a predetermined time period. Withreference to FIG. 23, the search panel 2300 includes a search term field2304, a list of previous search terms 2308, and the hot key bar 1416.The previous search terms are listed with the most recent searched termson the top of the list. Any of the previous search terms can be selectedby the OK button to initiate a new search using the terms. The searchterm can search any field within an EPG, including channel number, name,or logo, show name 1420, episode name 1428, program category, programvideo format, program audio format, program description, program startand end times, program season number, episode number, original air date,first air indicator, encryption status, and rating. In the hot key bar1416, the red hot key corresponds to “Guide”, which, if selected,dismisses the search panel and launches the full-screen EPG, the yellowhot key to “Clear all”, which, if selected, clears the search history,the green hot key to “Remove”, which, if selected, removes the selectedterm from the search history, and the blue hot key has no correspondingfunction.

The search results panel 2400 of FIG. 24 is provided after a search isinitiated. The search results panel includes not only the panelnavigation bar 2204 and hot key bar 1416 but also a search term field2404 and search results listing 2408. The search results update in realtime while the user fills in the search term field 2404. The searchresults 2408 provide a vertically scrollable collection of programs thatare related to the search term and are or will be airing within apredetermined time. Each search term listing includes time on or programstart time, show name, progress bar, indicators such as the favorite andreminder indicators, and channel number, name, and logo. The searchterms are reset (to the prior search terms on the display) when the userexits the live TV silo, the user turns off the TV, or a predeterminedtime passes from the time of the search. In the hot key bar 1416, thered hot key corresponds to “Go to Top”, which, if selected, returns theuser to the top of the panel, the yellow hot key to “Clear”, which, ifselected, clears the current search and returns the panel to the priorto search view with the focus in the empty entry field, the green hotkey to “Remind”, which, if selected, toggles the reminder on and off forthe selected or in-focus program, and the blue hot key to “Favorite”,which, if selected, marks the series in focus as a favorite and, whenthe series is already a favorite, removes the series from the set offavorites. As shown, the search results panel 2400 can optionallyinclude a program preview area 1408 for the in-focus listing in thesearch results listing 2408.

A user interface operation of the application framework 412 (typicallythe panel manager 536 and/or panel controller 552) is shown in FIG. 25.The operation will be discussed with reference to FIG. 19.

In step 2500, the application framework 412 detects a stimulus, such asselection of a new channel or program that causes the intelligent TV 100tuner to locate a new programming signal.

In step 2504, the intelligent TV 100 tuner initiates tuning to locatethe new programming signal.

In step 2508, the application framework 412, during the period that thetuner is attempting to locate the new programming signal, displays, inthe viewing area 1920, the display of FIG. 19. One or more thumbnailviews of the current program on the new channel or the newly selectedprogram are shown in the thumbnail view and viewing area.

In decision diamond 2512, the application framework 412 determineswhether tuning is completed and the new programming signal has beenlocated and is currently being received. If not, the applicationframework 412 returns to step 2508. If so, the application framework412, in step 1516, displays, in the viewing area 1920, live programmingin lieu of the view of FIG. 19.

A further user interface operation of the application framework(typically the panel manager 536 and/or panel controller 552) is shownin FIG. 26. The operation will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 20and 27.

In step 2600, the application framework 412 detects a stimulus, such asselection of the 0-9 (number) button 776, a new channel or program thatcauses the intelligent TV 100 tuner to locate a new programming signal.

In step 2604, the application framework 412, in response, displays, inthe viewing area 1920, an on screen channel changer 2000. With referenceto FIG. 27, the on screen channel changer 2000 will have the appearanceof the on screen channel changer 2700. When the on screen channelchanger is brought into focus, it will contain a mini EPG with a singleentry of the last channel that was manually entered (that is not thecurrent channel). The in-focus indicator will be in a default centerposition on the number input bar 2008 (which is in the “5” position asshown). Only numbers in the number input bar 2008 that will produce aselectable channel are enabled while the other numbers are disabled.

In step 2608, the application framework 412 receives a number selectionvia the on screen channel changer.

In decision diamond 2612, the application framework 412 determineswhether the user has entered a complete channel entry. If not, theapplication framework 412, in step 2612, updates the on screen channelchanger 2700 to reflect the selected number. Referring to FIG. 27, theuser used the D-Pad to select the number “2”. The on screen channelchanger 2704 is updated to show, in the mini EPG, the next threechannels that begin with the number “2”. Selecting any of these EPGlistings will automatically change the channel and dismiss the on screenchannel changer 2704.

In the example of FIG. 27, the user has selected only the first numberof the channel. The user next uses the D-Pad to select the number “9”.Because a complete channel entry has not been entered, the applicationframework 412 proceeds to step 2612 and updates the on screen channelchanger 2704 to reflect the selected number. Referring to FIG. 27, theuser used the D-Pad to select the number “9”. The on screen channelchanger 2708 is updated to show, in the mini EPG, the next threechannels that begin with the numbers “29”. Selecting any of these EPGlistings will automatically change the channel and dismiss the on screenchannel changer 2708.

The user, in step 2608, next selects the number “4” using the D-Pad. Indecision diamond 2612, the application framework 412 determines that acomplete channel has been entered (which is 294 in the example) and, instep 2620, updates the on screen channel changer 2712 by showing, in themini EPG, and putting in focus only a single listing corresponding tothe entered channel. If the user selects the listing, the applicationframework 412 will automatically change the channel and dismiss the onscreen channel changer 2712.

The exemplary systems and methods of this disclosure have been describedin relation to intelligent televisions. However, to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the present disclosure, the preceding description omits anumber of known structures and devices. This omission is not to beconstrued as a limitation of the scopes of the claims. Specific detailsare set forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. Itshould however be appreciated that the present disclosure may bepracticed in a variety of ways beyond the specific detail set forthherein.

Furthermore, while the exemplary aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations illustrated herein show the various components of thesystem collocated, certain components of the system can be locatedremotely, at distant portions of a distributed network, such as a LANand/or the Internet, or within a dedicated system. Thus, it should beappreciated, that the components of the system can be combined in to oneor more devices, such as a television, or collocated on a particularnode of a distributed network, such as an analog and/or digitaltelecommunications network, a packet-switch network, or acircuit-switched network. It will be appreciated from the precedingdescription, and for reasons of computational efficiency, that thecomponents of the system can be arranged at any location within adistributed network of components without affecting the operation of thesystem. For example, the various components can be located in a switchsuch as a PBX and media server, gateway, in one or more communicationsdevices, at one or more users' premises, or some combination thereof.Similarly, one or more functional portions of the system could bedistributed between a telecommunications device(s) and an associatedcomputing device.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links connectingthe elements can be wired or wireless links, or any combination thereof,or any other known or later developed element(s) that is capable ofsupplying and/or communicating data to and from the connected elements.These wired or wireless links can also be secure links and may becapable of communicating encrypted information. Transmission media usedas links, for example, can be any suitable carrier for electricalsignals, including coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, and maytake the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated duringradio-wave and infra-red data communications.

Also, while the flowcharts have been discussed and illustrated inrelation to a particular sequence of events, it should be appreciatedthat changes, additions, and omissions to this sequence can occurwithout materially affecting the operation of the disclosed embodiments,configuration, and aspects.

A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure can be used.It would be possible to provide for some features of the disclosurewithout providing others.

In yet another embodiment, the systems and methods of this disclosurecan be implemented in conjunction with a special purpose computer, aprogrammed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integratedcircuit element(s), an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digitalsignal processor, a hard-wired electronic or logic circuit such asdiscrete element circuit, a programmable logic device or gate array suchas PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL, special purpose computer, any comparable means,or the like. In general, any device(s) or means capable of implementingthe methodology illustrated herein can be used to implement the variousaspects of this disclosure. Exemplary hardware that can be used for thedisclosed embodiments, configurations and aspects includes computers,handheld devices, telephones (e.g., cellular, Internet enabled, digital,analog, hybrids, and others), and other hardware known in the art. Someof these devices include processors (e.g., a single or multiplemicroprocessors), memory, nonvolatile storage, input devices, and outputdevices. Furthermore, alternative software implementations including,but not limited to, distributed processing or component/objectdistributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machineprocessing can also be constructed to implement the methods describedherein.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be readilyimplemented in conjunction with software using object or object-orientedsoftware development environments that provide portable source code thatcan be used on a variety of computer or workstation platforms.Alternatively, the disclosed system may be implemented partially orfully in hardware using standard logic circuits or VLSI design. Whethersoftware or hardware is used to implement the systems in accordance withthis disclosure is dependent on the speed and/or efficiency requirementsof the system, the particular function, and the particular software orhardware systems or microprocessor or microcomputer systems beingutilized.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be partiallyimplemented in software that can be stored on a storage medium, executedon programmed general-purpose computer with the cooperation of acontroller and memory, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, orthe like. In these instances, the systems and methods of this disclosurecan be implemented as program embedded on personal computer such as anapplet, JAVA® or CGI script, as a resource residing on a server orcomputer workstation, as a routine embedded in a dedicated measurementsystem, system component, or the like. The system can also beimplemented by physically incorporating the system and/or method into asoftware and/or hardware system.

Although the present disclosure describes components and functionsimplemented in the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations withreference to particular standards and protocols, the aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations are not limited to such standards andprotocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned hereinare in existence and are considered to be included in the presentdisclosure. Moreover, the standards and protocols mentioned herein andother similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein areperiodically superseded by faster or more effective equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents included in thepresent disclosure.

The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/orapparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, includingvarious aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments,subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art willunderstand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments,and/or configurations after understanding the present disclosure. Thepresent disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absenceof items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations hereof, including in the absence ofsuch items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g.,for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost ofimplementation.

The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustrationand description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosureto the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing DetailedDescription for example, various features of the disclosure are groupedtogether in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations forthe purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined inalternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than thosediscussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claims require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a singleforegoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, thefollowing claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodimentof the disclosure.

Moreover, though the description has included description of one or moreaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations andmodifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications arewithin the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill andknowledge of those in the art, after understanding the presentdisclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternativeaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted,including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures,functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not suchalternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions,ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publiclydedicate any patentable subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: accessing, from a networkaccessible external content source, electronic program guide (“EPG”)information, the EPG information comprising, for each program, airtime,program name, program channel, and program description; displaying, by amicroprocessor executable application framework and on a screen of atelevision, a search panel, the search panel comprising a search termfield to receive a search term and at least one previous set of searchterms used by a user in a prior search, wherein selection of the atleast one previous set of search terms initiates a search of the EPGinformation using the at least one previous set of search terms as afirst selected set of search terms; performing, by a microprocessorexecutable data service of the television, the search using a secondselected set of search terms, the second selected set of search termsbeing received in the search term field or a selected previous set ofsearch terms, said performing comprising: receiving, from theapplication framework, the second selected set of search terms, thesecond selected set of search terms being received in the search termfield or a selected previous set of search terms; in response, amicroprocessor executable content presentation service opening a socketand sending the second selected set of search terms to a microprocessorexecutable content aggregation service; and providing, by themicroprocessor executable content aggregation service, the secondselected set of search terms to plural external content sources, whereinthe plural external content sources comprise a Web site other than theEPG content source; receiving, by the microprocessor executable contentaggregation service, local search results, from a local database of thetelevision; the local search results responsive to the second selectedset of search terms; receiving, by the microprocessor executable contentaggregation service, non-local search results responsive to the secondselected set of search terms from the plural external content sources,the plural external content sources comprising an Internet site and oneor both of cable and satellite content sources other than the Internetsite; the non-local search results comprising EPG informationcorresponding to multiple channels and/or programs; providing, by themicroprocessor executable content presentation service, the local andnon-local search results, over the previously opened socket to one ormore users, the providing comprising displaying, by the applicationframework, the local and non-local search results on the televisionscreen; receiving, by the application framework and from a remotecontrol of the user, a program selection from the displayed set of localand non-local search results; and changing, by the applicationframework, a current channel to a channel broadcasting the programselection, wherein, when the search session is over, the microprocessorexecutable content presentation service disconnects the socket.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the plural external content sources comprisea plurality of an email server, an instant messaging service, a dataservice other than a Web site, a blogging service, a social media site,and a Web site other than the foregoing plural external content sources.3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plural external content sourcesprovide programming formation comprising, for each program, airtime,program name, program channel, and program description.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the displayed search results lists multiple programs,wherein each search result comprises an air time of the correspondingprogram, a name of the corresponding program, and a channel broadcastingthe corresponding program, wherein one of the multiple programs is infocus, wherein a thumbnail preview is displayed on a screen of thetelevision with the displayed set of search results, wherein thethumbnail preview corresponds to the in focus program, wherein thethumbnail preview comprises a graphical image and at least one of aprogram name, series name, episode number, episode name, and sport eventname and a plurality of a program description, a program type, a programcategory, a start-to-finish time, current runtime, and a remainingruntime, and wherein the graphical image is one of a captured frame ofthe in focus program, a picture associated with the in focus program,and a photograph associated with the in focus program.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the plural external content sources comprise a socialmedia site, wherein the television publishes, automatically and via asocial network service, selected content displayed by a screen of thetelevision to a social network and wherein the published selectedcontent comprises one or more user comments.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the television screen provides a dynamic visualization ofaggregated connections and/or inbound messages and/or outbound messagesfrom one or more social media sites and wherein the aggregation and/orinbound messages and/or outbound messages are depicted graphically onthe television screen as a volume of connections to influence the user.7. The method of claim 6, wherein, in a social volume visualization,selected contents of each linked social network profile of a socialcontact and/or inbound messages and/or outbound messages from or to alinked social media contact and/or current activity of the social mediacontact is presented in a displayed object on the television screen, thedisplayed object comprising at least one tile.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein a size of the at least one tile is related to one or more of arelative degree of importance of the linked social contact to the user,a type of relationship of user to the linked social contact, a degree ofinfluence of the linked social contact to the user, a geographicproximity of the linked social contact to the user, a degree to whichthe currently provided media content is of interest both to the user andlinked social contact, an assigned ranking of the linked social contactby the user, a type of social network type linking the user with thelinked social contact, a current activity of the linked social contact,a current online or offline status of the linked social contact, and asocial network grouping type or category to which both the user andlinked social contact belong.
 9. A television, comprising: a televisionscreen; a local computer readable medium; at least one of an infraredand radio frequency module to receive wirelessly input signals from aremote control of a user; a microprocessor executable applicationframework to display on a screen of a television, a search panel, thesearch panel comprising a search term field to receive a search term andat least one previous set of search terms used by the user in a priorsearch, wherein selection of the at least one previous set of searchterms initiates a search of electronic program guide (“EPG”) informationusing the at least one previous set of search terms as a first selectedset of search terms; a microprocessor executable content aggregationservice to access, from a network accessible content source EPGinformation, the EPG information comprising, for each program, airtime,program name, program channel, and program description; receive aselected set of search terms; perform the search using a second selectedset of search terms, the second selected set of search terms beingreceived in the search term field or a selected previous set of searchterms, receive local search results, from a local database of thetelevision, the local search results responsive to the second selectedset of search terms; and receive non-local search results responsive tothe second selected set of search terms from multiple external contentsources, the multiple external content sources comprising an Internetsite and one or both of cable and satellite content sources other thanthe Internet site; the non-local search results comprising EPGinformation corresponding to multiple channels and/or programs, whereinperforming the search comprises: providing, by the microprocessorexecutable content aggregation service, the second selected set ofsearch terms to multiple external content sources, wherein the multipleexternal content sources comprise a Web site other than the EPG contentsource; and a microprocessor executable content presentation serviceoperable to open a socket to send the second selected set of searchterms to the content aggregation service and provide, by the applicationframework, the local and non-local search results, over the previouslyopened socket to one or more users, the providing the local andnon-local search results comprising displaying, by the applicationframework, the local and non-local search results on the televisionscreen; wherein the application framework receives, from a remotecontrol of the user, a program selection from the displayed set of localand non-local search results and changes a current channel to a channelbroadcasting the program selection, wherein, when the search session isover, the microprocessor executable content presentation servicedisconnects the socket.
 10. The television of claim 9, wherein themultiple external content sources comprise a plurality of an emailserver, an instant messaging service, a data service other than a Website, a blogging service, a social media site, and a Web site other thanthe foregoing multiple external content sources.
 11. The television ofclaim 9, wherein the multiple external content sources provideprogramming information comprising, for each program, airtime, programname, program channel, and program description and wherein an externalset-top box and/or satellite tuner integral to the television changes acurrent channel to a channel broadcasting the program selection.
 12. Thetelevision of claim 11, wherein the displayed search results listsmultiple programs, wherein each search result comprises an air time ofthe corresponding program, a name of the corresponding program, and achannel broadcasting the corresponding program, wherein one of themultiple programs is in focus, wherein a thumbnail preview is displayedon a screen of the television with the displayed set of search results,wherein the thumbnail preview corresponds to the in focus program,wherein the thumbnail preview comprises a graphical image and at leastone of a program name, series name, episode number, episode name, andsport event name and a plurality of a program description, a programtype, a program category, a start-to-finish time, current runtime, and aremaining runtime, and wherein the graphical image is one of a capturedframe of the in focus program, a picture associated with the in focusprogram, and a photograph associated with the in focus program.
 13. Thetelevision of claim 9, wherein the multiple external content sourcescomprise a social media site, wherein the television publishes,automatically and via a social network service, selected contentdisplayed by a screen of the television to a social network and whereinthe published selected content comprises one or more user comments. 14.The television of claim 13, wherein television screen provides a dynamicvisualization of aggregated connections and/or inbound messages and/oroutbound messages from one or more social media sites and wherein theaggregation and/or inbound messages and/or outbound messages aredepicted graphically on the television screen as a volume of connectionsto influence the user.
 15. The television of claim 14, wherein, in asocial volume visualization, selected contents of each linked socialnetwork profile of a social contact and/or inbound messages and/oroutbound messages from or to a linked social media contact and/orcurrent activity of the social media contact is presented in a displayedobject on the television screen, the displayed object comprising atleast one tile.
 16. The television of claim 15, wherein a size of the atleast one tile is related to one or more of a relative degree ofimportance of the linked social contact to the user, a type ofrelationship of user to the linked social contact, a degree of influenceof the linked social contact to the user, a geographic proximity of thelinked social contact to the user, a degree to which the currentlyprovided media content is of interest both to the user and linked socialcontact, an assigned ranking of the linked social contact by the user, atype of social network type linking the user with the linked socialcontact, a current activity of the linked social contact, a currentonline or offline status of the linked social contact, and a socialnetwork grouping type or category to which both the user and linkedsocial contact belong.
 17. A tangible and non-transitory computerreadable medium, comprising microprocessor executable instructions that,when executed, cause a processor to perform operations comprising: oneor more instructions to access, from a network accessible contentsource, electronic program guide (“EPG”) information, the EPGinformation comprising, for each program, airtime, program name, programchannel, and program description; one or more instructions to display,on a screen of a television, a search panel, the search panel comprisinga search term field to receive a search term and at least one previousset of search terms used by a user in a prior search, wherein selectionof the at least one previous set of search terms initiates a search ofthe EPG information using the at least one previous set of search termsas a first selected set of search terms; one or more instructions toperform the search using a second selected set of search terms, thesecond selected set of search terms being received in the search termfield or a selected previous set of search terms, said performingcomprising: one or more instructions to open a socket and send thesecond selected set of search terms to a microprocessor executablecontent aggregation service; and one or more instructions to provide thesecond selected set of search terms to multiple external contentsources, wherein multiple external content sources comprise a Web siteother than the EPG content source; one or more instructions to receivelocal search results, from a local database of the television; the localsearch results responsive to the second selected set of search terms;one or more instructions to receive non-local search results responsiveto the second selected set of search terms from the multiple externalcontent sources, the multiple external content sources comprising anInternet site and one or both of cable and satellite content sourcesother than the Internet site; the non-local search results comprisingEPG information corresponding to multiple channels and/or programs; oneor more instructions to provide the local and non-local search results,over the previously opened socket to one or more users, the providingcomprising displaying, by the application framework, the local andnon-local search results on the television screen; one or moreinstructions to receive, from a remote control of the user, a programselection from the displayed set of search results; and one or moreinstructions to change a current channel to a channel broadcasting theprogram selection, wherein, when the search session is over, themicroprocessor executable content presentation service disconnects thesocket.
 18. The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein themultiple external content sources comprise a plurality of an emailserver, an instant messaging service, a data service other than a Website, a blogging service, a social media site, and a Web site other thanthe foregoing multiple external content sources.
 19. The computerreadable medium of claim 18, wherein the multiple external contentsources provide programming formation comprising, for each program,airtime, program name, program channel, and program description.
 20. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the displayed searchresults lists multiple programs, wherein each search result comprises anair time of the corresponding program, a name of the correspondingprogram, and a channel broadcasting the corresponding program, whereinone of the multiple programs is in focus, wherein a thumbnail preview isdisplayed on a screen of the television with the displayed set of searchresults, wherein the thumbnail preview corresponds to the in focusprogram, wherein the thumbnail preview comprises a graphical image andat least one of a program name, series name, episode number, episodename, and sport event name and a plurality of a program description, aprogram type, a program category, a start-to-finish time, currentruntime, and a remaining runtime, and wherein the graphical image is oneof a captured frame of the in focus program, a picture associated withthe in focus program, and a photograph associated with the in focusprogram.
 21. The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein themultiple external content sources comprise a social media site, whereinthe television publishes, automatically and via a social networkservice, selected content displayed by a screen of the television to asocial network and wherein the published selected content comprises oneor more user comments.
 22. The computer readable medium of claim 21,wherein television screen provides a dynamic visualization of aggregatedconnections and/or inbound messages and/or outbound messages from one ormore social media sites and wherein the aggregation and/or inboundmessages and/or outbound messages are depicted graphically on thetelevision screen as a volume of connections to influence the user. 23.The computer readable medium of claim 22, wherein, in a social volumevisualization, selected contents of each linked social network profileof a social contact and/or inbound messages and/or outbound messagesfrom or to a linked social media contact and/or current activity of thesocial media contact is presented in a displayed object on thetelevision screen, the displayed object comprising at least one tile.24. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein a size of the atleast one tile is related to one or more of a relative degree ofimportance of the linked social contact to the user, a type ofrelationship of user to the linked social contact, a degree of influenceof the linked social contact to the user, a geographic proximity of thelinked social contact to the user, a degree to which the currentlyprovided media content is of interest both to the user and linked socialcontact, an assigned ranking of the linked social contact by the user, atype of social network type linking the user with the linked socialcontact, a current activity of the linked social contact, a currentonline or offline status of the linked social contact, and a socialnetwork grouping type or category to which both the user and linkedsocial contact belong.